Peggy Howard, Manager of Community Volunteer Connections (CVC) of which the "Christmas Cheer" is one of three components spoke first. She described how CVC was formed in 1985, under the auspices of the Dryden & District Association for Community Living. and in 1990 became incorporated as an entity onto itself.

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Howard explained that the primary purpose of the Community Volunteer Connects Centre is to provide volunteer based direct services to the community when possible and deemed appropriate. She said, "Current services include the Community Integration Service, the Volunteer Income Tax Service, and Christmas Cheer." Each service provides direct assistance to consumers.

This year the Christmas Cheer Board provided hampers to 345 families. A program that has helped them is “Adopt a Family” where a person, organization, or business will pay for and provide a hamper for a family. This year, 61 families were adopted.

Keith Grant followed Peggy and is manager of the Dryden Food Bank, an organization that has existed in Dryden since 1992. The Food Bank provides services to an area from Vermilion Bay to Dinorwic.This year, it is helping 335 clients involving about 700 people of which 300 were children.

A cheque in the amount of $1000 was presented to Peggy for Christmas Cheer and a cheque of $5000 was presented to Keith
Grant for help with the Food Bank. Both thanked the Rotary Club for their support this year and in the past