Renfrew County Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN)
130 Pembroke Street West K8A 5M8 Pembroke, ON, Canada

Wishing you a restful and relaxing Christmas, and may we all have a better New Year! Please read and share this lovely poem. It captures the spirit of CPAN, and our kind and caring community members <3 Oh, Santa, dear Santa, it’s late at night.... I’m writing this letter by candlelight. We’ve put up the Christmas tree, so big and green. It’s the prettiest tree that I’ve ever seen. We’ve hung up our stockings by the fireplace Don’t forget mine’s got the funny face. It snowed all day long, turning everything white, And we played outside ‘til there was no more light. We made a big snowman with a carrot nose, But now it is time for bed, I suppose. I know that it’s already Christmas Eve, And I know you have to get ready to leave But I thought of a few more things that I need, Like new mittens, a bike, and a book I can read. And perhaps, while you’re at it, a Teddy bear And a doll that smiles one with long golden hair. And a parrot that talks and knows its name, Some paints and new slippers, and maybe a game. And a dollhouse with doors that open and close, Or a small ballerina who stands on her toes. Oh yes and my brother, he wants more things too. I hope this is not too much trouble for you. He would like a brown horse a toy one, please. And a book for learning his ABCs. Of course, he needs dump trucks and plenty of cars, And a rocket that’s ready to take off for Mars. Oh Santa! How one wish can lead to another, Both for myself and for my little brother. We have so many toys if we get any more, Our house will look like a department store! Perhaps what we need is not one more toy. Maybe it’s something more simple like joy. The presents are great, and we both love to play, But I think that the meaning of Christmas Day Is more about loving and less about things, And the feeling that sharing and giving brings. I know it’s a lot, but here’s what I wish, As you harness your reindeer and take off with a swish. I hope that tonight as you fly in your sled That all the world’s children are safely in bed, And are warm, and are dreaming dreams that are sweet, And have plenty of love, and plenty to eat. Oh Santa, dear Santa, I think what we need, Is a world that is peaceful and not full of greed, Where everyone cares about one another As if each child were a sister or brother. So thank you, dear Santa, and oh, by the way, Do have a wonderful Christmas Day!

Thanks to all who helped and supported our annual Festival of Trees event this year! We could not do all we do without our volunteers, donors, sponsors, and our community at large who never fail to amaze me! Thanks to the Petawawa Post for this article.. by the way it is now over $47,000! All funds help local children in need! ... Please LIKE & SHARE ... everywhere :) http://petawawapostlive.ca//cpans-festival-of-trees-raises

Thank you Township of Laurentian Valley for helping us keep local children in need warm this winter!

We need to transport a pair of winter boots to Renfrew - are you (or someone you know) coming to Pembroke today from Renfrew, or going to Renfrew tomorrow morning before 10:30? PLEASE LET US KNOW if you can help ASAP - call 613-735-9579 (leave message if voicemail) or try 613-735-9573 PLEASE LIKE & SHARE to help keep another little one's feet stay warm and dry <3

Beautiful, Unique, Designer Christmas Trees!!! Have you got your Christmas tree yet?? Would you like to own a designer Christmas tree AND support local children in need at the same time??!... See the Christmas trees that are for sale on our Festival of Trees Website: https://www.festivaloftreescpan.ca/christmas-tree After you’ve selected your one of a kind Christmas tree just pick it up, peel off the wrapping, and plug it in! No mess, no fuss!! DON'T WAIT!! There are 7 uniquely designed Christmas trees left and no two are the same. Get your favorite tree before its gone!! Make a statement in your home this season while supporting local children in need with your own designer Christmas tree! Please LIKE and SHARE widely! #christmasiscoming #festivaloftrees #cpan #KindAndCaringCommunity #nochildleftbehind #oneofakindchristmastree

Calling for Volunteers- WE NEED HELP! Do you have a truck? Can you help with deliveries throughout the county Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm, to one or more of these locations?... Arnprior Renfrew Cobden Beachburg Eganville Golden Lake Killaloe Barry’s Bay Deep River We need to get items out to children in need before the snow flies! Please LIKE and SHARE widely. For more information send us a Facebook message or email us at [email protected]

Have you purchased your ballots yet for your chance to WIN a MASSAGE CHAIR Valued at $3,000??? Generously donated by Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pembroke Don't wait!! Time is running out!!! The draw will take place Saturday, December 5th.... 100% of proceeds from each ballot sold will go directly to CPAN helping local children in need. Click the link below to buy your ballots: https://www.festivaloftreescpan.ca/massage-chair-draw Don't miss out on your chance to WIN this amazing Christmas present!! Even if it's for yourself!! Please LIKE and SHARE widely!! #KindAndCaringCommunity #nochildleftbehind #ChildrenInNeed #christmasiscoming #CPAN

Have you got your ticket yet? Have you visited Christmas Tree Avenue? Have you started bidding on the online Auction?... All proceeds help children in need throughout Renfrew County! Because it is a virtual concert anyone and EVERYONE can attend!! Let's enjoy some great Ottawa Valley entertainment .. visit the website for all info -includes beautifully decorated designer trees waiting for you to buy Please LIKE & SHARE - everywhere - because it's virtual :)

It is an historic day today! On November 20th 1989 Canada signed the UN Convention on he Rights of the Child. Before then animals had rights, children didn't The national child poverty rate was then 15.3% 4 days later November 24th 1989 the Canadian Government signed a unanimous resolution to END CHILD POVERTY in Canada by the year 2000!... 2000 came and the national child poverty rate had increased to 25% This is how CPAN came into being, and why we have the word ACTION in our name - our goal is to not just talk about it but take action to eliminate the effects that poverty has on children. It is now 2020 - Child Poverty still exists 31 years after signing the Convention on the Rights of the Child and signing the unanimous resolution - Please call on your politicians to keep their promises to our children - Canada is a rich and caring county and should ensure that EVERY CHILD can have the opportunity to reach their full potential in life regardless of family income or status. Please LIKE & SHARE wide #nochildleftbehind #childreninneed #everychildmatters #childrenhaverights #endchildpoverty

OPERATION SNOWSUIT is open!!! For registration go to: https://renfrewcountycpan.ca/operation-snowsuit/ Once submitted an email will be sent to confirm (check junk mail folder) and PLEASE do not contact us to check unless the sizes ordered are incorrect or cancellation. As winter is fast approaching and we have to make certain changes and take extra precautions, due to COVID, we ask for everyone to help!... WE WILL NEED HELP We will be needing to find potential volunteer drivers with trucks (preferably closed bed) to transport donations once collected within the municipalities. Also to bring packed items to local agencies for distribution. We have been advised to not transport in cars (unless in the trunk). We are working on finding safe locations in all municipalities for collection of donations. Once we have a list we will share. If you have donations PLEASE HANG ON TO THESE until we have a safe method to collect. Our office is currently closed. Thanks for your understanding :) PLEASE LIKE & SHARE this information .. Thanks :)

Have you visited our online auction event yet? Time is running out .. auction closes at 8pm sharp All items donated by our kind and caring community members.. with 100% of bids helping local children in need ... Why not get some Christmas presents? Every day is Christmas when helping children in need! PLEASE LIKE & SHARE - widely #NoChildLeftBehind #OperationSnowsuit #ToolsForSchool ##KindAndCaringCommunity #ChristmasJoy #ChildrenInNeed https://www.facebook.com/FestivalofTreesAuction

Here at CPAN we are already planning this year's Operation Snowsuit program. Winter will come despite COVID and this program will probably be needed now more than ever due to loss of income and children needing to get out in the fresh air! I know that some of you have already asked when you can drop off donations of gently used items, and we appreciate this very much.. however currently we are making plans to be able to collect donations in the safest way possible due to C...OVID. PLEASE do not drop off items as our office is closed. I will post something as soon as we have more information. We want our community to stay a COVID-free as possible. We welcome monetary donations too! If you are IN NEED OF HELP I will post on here as soon as we open registration PLEASE STAY TUNED - also LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW - Thanks :) Lyn

CPAN fundraiser!! Our friends at Custom Draperies, blinds & Bedding and Ashely Homestore Select are raffling off a Massage Chair valued at $3000, to help raise money for the local Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN). Tickets are $10 for 1 ballot or $20 for 3 ballots, draw will be held December 5th. ... Tickets can be purchased in person at Ashley Homestore or Custom Draperies blinds & Bedding or online (see poster for details) Please LIKE & SHARE .. everywhere Thank you for supporting CPAN and the children we serve. We are very blessed to live in such a kind and caring community <3 #KindAndCaringCommunity #nochildleftbehind #perfectgift #customdraperies #AshleyHomestore #cpan

Please read this post .. what a lovely, kind and generous community member! Please take a minute to look at Beverly's work and consider buying some paintings and books as gifts! 20% of ALL sales will be donated to CPAN! PLEASE LIKE and FOLLOW far and wide :) #KindAndCaringCommunity #nochildleftbehind #perfectgift #BeverlyLevasseur

Here at CPAN we are already planning this year's Operation Snowsuit program. Winter will come despite COVID and this program will probably be needed now more than ever due to loss of income and children needing to get out in the fresh air! I know that some of you have already asked when you can drop off donations of gently used items, and we appreciate this very much.. however currently we are making plans to be able to collect donations in the safest way possible due to C...OVID. PLEASE do not drop off items as our office is closed. I will post something as soon as we have more information. We want our community to stay a COVID-free as possible. We welcome monetary donations too! If you are IN NEED OF HELP I will post on here as soon as we open registration PLEASE STAY TUNED - also LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW - Thanks :) Lyn

Please read this post .. what a lovely, kind and generous community member! Please take a minute to look at Beverly's work and consider buying some paintings and books as gifts! 20% of ALL sales will be donated to CPAN! PLEASE LIKE and FOLLOW far and wide :) #KindAndCaringCommunity #nochildleftbehind #perfectgift #BeverlyLevasseur

This is a great initiative - many low income households are struggling with additional issues and costs due to COVID-19. Internet connectivity and costs included. This was already a struggle, but now with students having to learn online it is even more important that everyone gets to virtually connect. Click on the link https://about.rogers.com/giving-back/connected-for-success/ ... PLEASE LIKE & SHARE EVERYWHERE - thanks :) #kudostorogers #nochildleftbehind #KindAndCaringCommunity

Did you get your Smile Cookies Yet?? 10 great reasons to buy them today 1) They taste DELICIOUS... 2) They only cost $1 3) The WHOLE dollar goes to charity 4) In PEMBROKE and Town Centre Petawawa Locations it it donated to Tools for School program - helping local children in need return to school with the tools to learn! 5) This puts a SMILE on the children's face 6) Since 2007 - this has happened 1643 times :) :) 7) This opportunity is for ONE WEEK ONLY! 8) The Smile Cookies taste SO GOOD that they will put a smile on the face of whoever eats them 9) It give us all an opportunity to treat others to a tasty treat - like family, friends, co-workers, employees, employers, patients, clients, customers, neighbours, .. I could go on and on 10) We all need more smiles! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? PLEASE LIKE & SHARE - help children in need :) #KindAndCaringCommunity #timhortonscanada #SMILECOOKIES #TOOLSFORSCHOOL #NoChildLeftBehind

all Pembroke Locations and the Petawawa location at 22 Town Centre Blvd will be donating every cent from every Smile Cookie to CPAN's Tools for School program. Buy these very tasty treats for family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, employers and employees - heck buy them for as many people as you can - We all need a smile :) Not only will you be putting smiles on the faces of the people eating Smile Cookies, you will be putting smiles on the faces of children in need who ...recieve backpacks, supplies and shoes thanks to the generosity of the community and our friends at Tim Hortons! PLEASE LIKE & SHARE - show you care

Please take a look at the updated Tip Sheet from our friends at Renfrew County Legal Clinic https://www.renfrewlegalclinic.org//COVID-19-Tip-Sheet-Sep PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE to everyone - they may need the resources listed! Thank You :) ... Have a great day!

Tools for School registration is now open! See link below. This program is for low income families who have children attending school in Renfrew County. It is not government funded and relies on funding from donations and fundraisers. Please help if you can with monetary donations, or use it if you are in need :) Sorry for the delay, these are challenging times. There are some changes this year. ... Thanks to all our kind and generous donors who keep this program going, it really does make a big difference in the life of each child in need. <3 Please LIKE & SHARE https://renfrewcountycpan.ca/tools-for-school/

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ - also LIKE & SHARE HI everyone! I hope that you are keeping safe and well. As you know part of what we do at CPAN is to advocate for the elimination or poverty and for a strong social safety net for EVERYONE. Unfortunately too often those who are the poorest and most vulnerable are the ones who get left behind. Ever since the creation of CPAN we have called for systemic change. We need to become pro-active instead of re-active. It makes good... sense for many reasons to make sure that we leave no one behind. We have seen this disparity during this pandemic. We need to relook at how we are doing .. surely as one of the richest countries in the world (also with the most caring people), we should not have anyone, let alone children, who go hungry are homeless and cannot get prescription medication. One way (and only one idea) is basic income of some type. I was happy to hear our PM mention how inadequate and unfair the system is now, and that he and he cabinet will spend time between now and Sept 23rd to make a plan to make Canada Better. We believe that if we send them a message they may hear and respond. Here is a link to an online petition which I have already signed - I hope that many more of you will too. https://www.leahgazan.ca/basicincomemotion

Just sharing a post regarding employment training opportunities are you, or someone you know 15-29 and need to get into the workforce? This may be what you need! For more info please contact Tyerman and Daughters (not CPAN)... PLEASE LIKE and SHARE https://www.facebook.com/TDIEmployment/videos/295985608320233/

Here is the latest tip sheet from our friends at Renfrew County Legal Clinic. Staff at RCLC do an awesome job in our community all year , ensuring that those who are the most vulnerable get hard-working lawyers fighting in their corner. If you would like to know more about what they do please visit their website :) Please LIKE & SHARE so everyone is aware (I made a rhyme) :) ... #RCLC #socialjustice Lyn https://www.renfrewlegalclinic.org//COVID-19-Tip-Sheet-Jul