Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club Have Some Christmas Ideas For The Person Who Has Everything
by Bob Montgomery
If you're struggling to find that special Christmas gift for a loved one or a friend, two local charities are suggesting you consider shopping “green.”
A present doesn’t have to have wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons to be a gift, according to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. Anyone purchasing a ‘gift to nature’ receives a gift certificate (their choice of paper or email) they can give to the present’s recipient. They could buy someone a certificate for a snowshoe rental, for instance, or a conservation area family pass. They could also buy a bird-bat-butterfly box, either assembled or as a kit. They could also donate to a good cause on someone’s behalf. In the case of donations, the purchaser of the gift can receive a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes. The purchaser of a present could buy a certificate for a donation, such as a donation to the Parkhill accessible trail project, or another trail or conservation area. Someone could donate to tree planting, wetlands, or habitat for turtles. They could donate to conservation education or another local conservation program of their choice. They could donate to the South Huron Trail Mobile. Lots of programs can benefit from support.
The Conservation Dinner and auction has raised more than $1.39 million for projects in local communities over its history dating back almost three and a half decades. The Conservation Dinner Committee Chair, Chris Keller of the Exeter Lions Club, says tickets to the Dinner make great gifts during the Christmas season.
The 35th Conservation Dinner takes place on Thursday, April 3rd at the South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter. Tickets are $100 each and patrons receive a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes for a portion of that amount. To buy tickets to the Conservation Dinner, or to donate, phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83).
More information can be found at conservationdinner.com and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation’s Conservation Dinner web page (https://www.abca.ca/foundation/dinner/).
