With the hope of providing women a Christmas dinner and more, employees at Kean Auto Services are striving to serve the needs of the community.

The business at 180 North Island Highway is collecting donations for the Stepping Stones Women’s Recovery House.

“I’m new to the area and I said to my boss who is very community-oriented, we should help in any way we can,” explained employee Heather Phalen.

“I found out Stepping Stones doesn’t have a lot of help and they’re lacking furniture and saving for a TV. The ladies could also use toiletries,” she added. “We are currently accepting gifts, wrapped or unwrapped, gift certificates and money.”

The donation drive began last week, and Phalen, along with owner Phil Peterson, have a special Christmas-themed twist for cash donations.

“For a minimum donation of $5, a Christmas ball with your name will be put on their tree. It would be wonderful to give them all of the balls and show them how them here are the people in the community who care,” Phalen noted.

Peterson said the house does not have the finances for a Christmas dinner, and along with financial donations, the business will donate 10 per cent of any repairs they perform in December when mentioning the initiative.

Phalen added while they have not established a goal for the campaign, they would like to see the first year of the drive as a challenge to the community, and will aim to surpass this year’s donations next year.

For more information or to donate to the initiative, call 250-897-3643 or drop off donations at Kean.

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