Southeast Alberta Child and Family Services

(Dec. 23, 2004) ... Management and staff at the Brooks office of chartered accounting firm Meyers Norris Penny brought smiles to the faces of dozens of children this Christmas by donating gifts to the Southeast Alberta Child and Family Services Authority.

"Every year we collect money from staff who wear jeans on Friday and then put that back into the community in some way," says Kim Drever, manager of taxation services. "Christmas is about giving and we wanted to do something to help children in care this year."

After contacting the Southeast Alberta Child and Family Services Authority to make the arrangements, company staff bought toys, books and candy to stuff Christmas stockings for 38 children in care and delivered them to the Brooks office of the Authority for distribution.

Authority staff then delivered the stockings to children ranging from infancy to 17 in foster homes and group homes throughout the area. Jerry Mortensen, casework supervisor, helped distribute the gifts and spent time with the children.

"One group of siblings told us they didn't have Christmas last year," says Mortensen. "They said Santa didn't come because there wasn't any money. The stockings were very well received ... the children were very excited to get anything."

Bryan Heninger, CEO of the Child and Family Services Authority, applauds the staff of Meyers Norris Penny. "We're thankful to them for such a generous gesture that helped brighten the lives of these children."