Cape Breton home-care workers give gifts to seniors
The holidays can be a lonely time for seniors, but the Northside Homemakers Service Society is hoping to change that this Christmas.
“Last year I announced at our Christmas party that we've been playing secret Santa for years to our clients, I’ve been here 33 years, we see the need in our community and we just want our seniors to know we're here for them,” said Wendy Boyd, a continuing care assistant.
Instead of doing secret Santa this year, the employees came together and decided to work as a team.
Their goal is to reach as many seniors as possible this Christmas, whether they're a client or not, and so far have filled more than 500 gift bags.
“We have some people that might have a little bit of money, but they have nobody. Some people have families that live away. Loneliness is a big thing and this is just to show someone sees them and they matter,” said Boyd.
Local businesses and neighbours have contributed gifts and monetary donations, too. The result has led to very little space left in the boardroom.
The Northside Homemakers Service Society is collecting gift bags for seniors. (Source: Kyle Moore/CTV News Atlantic)
“It's a good way to lose space. It's a good use of space for the community,” said Alicia Buffet, agency director.
The project has also brought staff closer as they share a common goal of helping others.
“It's so positive it really brings people together and I think on Sunday it will be all worth it because it’s been a lot of hard work,” said Buffet.
The Northside Homemakers Service Society is collecting gift bags for seniors. (Kyle Moore/CTV Atlantic)
Staff also raised money by creating memory bags, a chance for people to remember a loved one, while helping someone else this Christmas.
“We had a lady who lost her son and she delivered six bags, and a lady here who worked with us had bags done up by her grandkids,” said Boyd.
The gifts full of goodies and good wishes will be delivered on Sunday, just in time for the holidays.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump picks Brooke Rollins to be agriculture secretary
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brooke Rollins, president of the America First Policy Institute, to be agriculture secretary.
Lotto Max jackpot climbs to $80M, tying record for largest prize
The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history.
7 suspects, including 13-year-old, charged following 'violent' home invasion north of Toronto
Seven teenage suspects, including a 13-year-old, have been arrested following a targeted and “violent” home invasion in Vaughan on Friday, police say.
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is this unusual?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
Retiring? Here's how to switch from saving for your golden years to spending
The last paycheque from a decades-long career arrives next Friday and the nest egg you built during those working years will now turn into a main source of income. It can be a jarring switch from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.
Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows
Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the 'complicity' of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians.
Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs
During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles -- a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defence secretary -- at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
7 suspects, including 13-year-old, charged following 'violent' home invasion north of Toronto
Seven teenage suspects, including a 13-year-old, have been arrested following a targeted and “violent” home invasion in Vaughan on Friday, police say.
-
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
-
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.
Calgary
-
Snowfall warning for Calgary and southern Alberta expected to continue throughout Saturday
A snowfall warning for Calgary remained in effect early Saturday morning and looks poised to be hanging around all weekend.
-
Need something fixed? Repair Exchange Calgary has a volunteer for that
Repair Exchange Calgary is bringing a few good fixers to the Hillhurst Flea Market on Sunday.
-
Spruce Meadows Christmas Market adds Allen the Alpaca to Sunday lineup
The Spruce Meadows Christmas Market is bringing in a special guest Sunday.
Edmonton
-
From Instagram to IRL: Where to find this year's trendy treats in Edmonton
From globally-inspired pastries to vegan fast food and Connor McDavid-themed culinary delights, Edmonton has a lot to offer anyone looking to try something trendy.
-
Edmonton calls parking ban after city hit with heavy snowfall
Edmonton has called its first parking ban of the season as the city remained under a snowfall warning.
-
Hit-and-run driver wanted after pedestrian hit in southeast Edmonton
Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a pedestrian was hit on Thursday night.
Montreal
-
Montreal prepares to sell long-abandoned Empress theatre
The Empress Theatre, a nearly century-old landmark in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighbourhood, may soon be revitalized.
-
Santa Claus Parade draws crowds to downtown Montreal
Thousands gathered on René-Lévesque to welcome Santa Claus at this year’s festive parade. Choir groups, marching bands, dancers and more brought the holiday joy this year.
-
Quebec MNAs continue screen time consultations with students
Quebec's special commission on the impact of screen time and social media addiction among youth made a stop at Westmount High School this week, speaking directly with students about their habits and concerns.
Ottawa
-
Mixed reaction from Ottawa business owners, customers on GST exemption
Business owners say they've been left with questions about how a temporary tax exemption to the GST will work after the federal government announcement the policy last week.
-
Ottawa councillor violated Code of Conduct for daycare incident last summer, integrity commissioner concludes
The City of Ottawa's integrity commissioner has found West-Carleton March Coun. Clarke Kelly has violated the Code of Conduct for city officials and should be reprimanded following an altercation with a local daycare owner and staff last summer.
-
Ottawa driver fined for hauling thousands of empty cans in trunk of car
Ontario Provincial Police stopped an Ottawa man for dangerously hauling thousands of empty cans from the back of his car.
London
-
Two people airlifted, several taken to hospital due to collision
Two people have been airlifted to hospital following a serious collision in Norfolk County.
-
South Bruce residents vote in favour of hosting nuclear waste project in narrow referendum
South Bruce residents narrowly voted in favour of plans to bury Canada’s most radioactive nuclear waste under their municipality on Monday.
-
St. Thomas, Ont. and San Jose, Calif. celebrate hockey legend on night his jersey is retired
The Jumbo elephant monument in St. Thomas, Ont. will be lit in teal Saturday night as the city honours hockey legend Joe Thornton.
Barrie
-
Missing man in Collingwood
Collingwood OPP are searching for a 79-year-old man who was last seen early Saturday morning.
-
Two occupants escape kitchen fire
Emergency crews tended to a fire at a home in Alliston Saturday afternoon where the two occupants were evacuated safely.
-
Highway 400 reopens in Muskoka Lakes after fatal propane truck rollover
Highway 400 reopened late Friday night in Georgian Bay Township after emergency crews tended to a fatal tanker truck rollover Friday morning.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern Ont. First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining
Taykwa Tagamou Nation, a Cree First Nation located within Treaty 9, has filed a statement of claim against the Province of Ontario and Newmont, a mining company that owns properties in Timmins.
-
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
-
Whole Foods carrots pulled in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday.
Kitchener
-
Advocates push for anti-renoviction bylaws as Waterloo Region reports affordable housing progress
On National Housing Day, housing advocacy group ACORN continued to push for anti-renoviction bylaws.
-
Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT
Charges were laid after a crash between an LRT train and a Dodge vehicle shut down a busy Kitchener street for more than eight hours on Thursday.
-
How University of Waterloo researchers could help charge your devices by moving your body
Imagine being able to charge your devices through your body’s movements.
Windsor
-
Charity produces record amounts of non-perishable food amidst rise in food insecurity
A Windsor-Essex charitable organization created a record amount of non-perishable food amidst an increase in food insecurity, both at home and abroad.
-
No impaired drivers detected during Friday night RIDE checks
The Windsor Police Service reports no detected impaired drivers on Friday night during their RIDE checks.
-
Truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge
Windsor fire responded to a transport truck fire on Friday afternoon on the Ambassador Bridge.
Winnipeg
-
Snowfall warning in effect for southwestern Manitoba
Some areas could expect snowfall totals of 15 to 25 centimetres.
-
The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping
The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet.
-
Two Manitobans charged in two-day manhunt in northwestern Ontario
A two-day manhunt in northwestern Ontario has ended in more than 20 charges against a Manitoba man and woman.
Regina
-
City of Regina releases snowfall response plan ahead of next blast of wintery weather
Many parts of Saskatchewan will be hit with another round of wintery weather on Saturday, and Regina is no exception, with up to 25 centimetres of snow expected to accumulate.
-
NDP calls for investigation into food prices in northern Sask. after scurvy cases discovered
The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for an investigation into food prices in the northern part of the province after 27 cases of scurvy were discovered.
-
Ministry of Highways releases annual snow campaign as Sask. braces for more snow
Snowplows will be on standby ready to go as the province is expected to get more snow over the weekend.
Saskatoon
-
'I'm excited to take it on': Saskatoon businesses weigh in on GST exemption
Some local businesses say the federal government’s recent plan to pull back GST on several items is a positive initiative, but it should have been rolled out earlier in the holiday season.
-
Watermain break closes Saskatoon road
The City of Saskatoon is advising motorists of road closures due to a watermain break that caused flooding on Millar Avenue near Circle Drive.
-
Why isn't Saskatoon's new downtown shelter open yet?
Saskatoon's new downtown shelter must undergo renovations before it can open, according to the operator of the site.
Vancouver
-
Widow of Chinese businessman who was executed for murder can sell her Vancouver house, court rules
A murder in China and a civil lawsuit in B.C. have been preventing the sale of multiple Vancouver homes, but one of them could soon hit the market after a court ruling.
-
Black bear killed in self defence after attack on dog-walker in Maple Ridge
A black bear has died following a brawl with a man on a trail in Maple Ridge.
-
Man arrested after allegedly attempting to set fire to Vancouver City Hall
A 36-year-old man was arrested and is facing criminal charges after allegedly trying to start a blaze at the front of Vancouver City Hall Friday night.
Vancouver Island
-
BC Hydro says power almost fully restored after B.C. windstorms
British Columbia's electric utility says it has restored power to almost all customers who suffered outages during the bomb cyclone earlier this week, but strong wind from a new storm has made repairs difficult in some areas.
-
Fall legislative sitting scrapped in B.C. as Speaker Chouhan confirmed to serve again
There won't be a sitting of the British Columbia legislature this fall as originally planned.
-
Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend
Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid an ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period in 2023.
Kelowna
-
Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops
Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops.
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
