Christmas Comes Early at Oak Gables Golf Course

For the Oak Gables Ladies League, giving back has become part of the summer tradition.

The calendar may say July, but Christmas was already on their minds. The League’s Christmas in July event was recently highlighted by The Bay Observer, shining a spotlight on the group’s generosity and its support for The Salvation Army Hamilton Community and Family Services.

At their annual Christmas in July event, members traded the usual holiday sweaters and snow for sunshine, golf and a different kind of celebration — one centred on giving back.

The group collected new, unwrapped toys and raised funds for The Salvation Army Hamilton Community and Family Services, helping get a head start on the work that happens behind the scenes long before Christmas arrives.

For families experiencing financial hardship, the holiday season can bring additional pressure. The Salvation Army works throughout the year to prepare for the increased need that comes during Christmas, when requests for assistance grow and the cost of making the season brighter can be especially difficult for families to manage.

“Early donations help us prepare for the increased demand we see each Christmas and allow us to begin building our inventory well in advance,” said Cindy Taylor, Community Relations Coordinator with The Salvation Army Hamilton.

For the Ladies League, the event is about more than collecting donations. It has become an opportunity for friends and fellow golfers to come together around something bigger than themselves.

The gifts collected in the middle of summer may not be opened for several months, but they are already helping The Salvation Army prepare to support local families when they need it most.

“It’s a fun way for us to enjoy time together while giving back to our community. We hope our event inspires other golf leagues, businesses and community groups to think about how they can make a difference.” said Christine Ranta, Ladies League Convenor at Oak Gables Golf Course.

That combination of community, friendship and generosity is what makes Christmas in July meaningful. Because for many families, the work of making Christmas brighter begins long before the Christmas lights go up.

For the full story, read the feature inThe Bay Observer here.

By Claudia Nosseir