A warm welcome to a new home here inspired Kim Frere to form a program that reaches out to those less fortunate in the Drayton area.
“When our family moved to Drayton this summer, we were received cheerfully into a church and surrounding town that has quickly become our cherished home,” Frere said. “The ‘flocking’ of flamingos that greeted us on moving day and the generous basket of food, gifts, household items and useful information found inside our new house made us feel valued and blessed. These things also encouraged us to invest our lives in the town that had welcomed us so readily.”
Frere noted that Drayton has many families who also need that encouragement and love. The services of the Drayton Food Bank, Kinettes Toy Drive and other organizations contribute to the needs of those families struggling financially.
“From personal experience, my family knows that these gifts fill far more than the cupboards of those that receive them. I would like to do more to bless the households of these residents,” Frere said.
Inspiration for this program also came in the form of an old song called Bless This House that Frere performed over the years. A song that reminded her of her grandma and the little United Church that she attended. Bless This House is a poem or prayer that calls for God’s protection and provision for a house and the family that calls it home. From this Frere founded the Bless This House Bin Project.
Working in conjunction with the Drayton Food Bank Christmas Hamper program and the Drayton Kinettes Christmas Toy Drive, Frere’s goal is to give recipients of either of these programs a bin to bless their households.
“I would like to focus on those aged 16 to 60 who sometimes miss out on the cheer offered by other community services,” Frere said.
The size of the bin will depend on the amount and kind of donations received by the program from donors. Suggested items include fleecy blankets, socks, stationary, books, homemade dishcloths, toiletries, bathroom and kitchen items, family night games and treats.
Frere will also be placing loonie bins in businesses and church foyers for monetary donations. Drop off for articles is at Community Mennonite Fellowship Church in Drayton on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9am to noon until Dec. 11, or by contacting Frere.
Volunteers from the community will gather donations, shop as needed and assemble bins to be distributed on Dec. 16. The message, “Seasons Greetings from your Friends and Neighbours in Drayton” will be attached to each bin.
For more information on the Bless This House Bin Project contact Frere at 519-638-2257 or email kfrere71@gmail.com.
