The Global and Community Action Team at Kamloops United puts on a fundraiser every year by decorating the Christmas Tree in the sanctuary throughout Advent.  This year, the theme of the tree is “Joy”.  What makes you happy?  What brings you joy?  How do you feel bringing joy to others?  At Kamloops United, we would like to spread the joy.  As is our custom, we have picked three recipients to share in any funds raised from the Tree of Joy – a local, a national and an international.  For 2013 those recipients are:

International – The Sterile Processing Education Trust (SPECT) is a trust established to support education related to effective equipment sterilization processing and infection control practices in hospitals and clinics in developing countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of the Congo.  SPECT consults with hospitals in developing countries to assist in improving sterilization techniques and provide education in related areas of infection control and quality assurance.  SPECT’s goal is to see a significant decrease in infections related to the use of unsterile instruments in patients undergoing surgical procedures.

 National – Walk in Solidarity with New Shoes – a program offered by Centretown United Church in Ottawa, Ontario assisting individuals struggling with addictions, mental illness and loneliness.  One service of this outreach is to provide new footwear for comfort, safety, and a sense of pride (Gifts with Vision #GWV13-24).

Local – The Kamloops Rent Bank – The Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society administrates this program, which is overseen by a community board. Rent banks provide emergency loans at a low interest rate for people who are going to be evicted from their housing or cut-off from their utilities. Rent banks are for low-income wage earners. The Kamloops Rent Bank provides loans up to $1,000 to cover the cost of rent or utilities.  These emergency funds keep families with nowhere else to turn from becoming homeless and entering the cycle of poverty. The funds are paid directly to the landlord or utility company.

Thank you for your support of this annual fundraising program.