For a long time, CCSS hosted two major events a year, Santa’s Breakfast and Thunderballs. Both have become well loved community traditions. Our goal was always twofold- to bring people together, while raising funds to support our programs. 

During the pandemic we were not able to host large in person gatherings. We worked hard to keep the tradition of Santa’s Breakfast alive, by offering take home wreath kits, an online silent auction, and a scavenger hunt in downtown Cumberland. Last year we developed Santa’s Break Room, a brand new outdoor event with a light display, music, crafts and refreshments. We also hosted smaller events, including our first ever Kids Disco, a Cut A Thon, and Dinners 4 Dinners. 

This September, CCSS Staff and Board of Directors mapped out a plan for the upcoming year, based on our strategic priorities and the resources we have available. We acknowledged that we are coming out of a global pandemic, facing an increase in demand for programs, rising costs due to inflation, as well as staff and volunteer shortages. 

This year, CCSS will focus our efforts on hosting one major fundraising event. After a 3 year hiatus, we are excited to be bringing Thunderballs back to the streets of downtown Cumberland in May 2023. We’ll also be hosting our 2nd annual Kids Disco in February and a Spring Cut A Thon. The majority of our resources will continue to go toward operating our core programs- the Healthy Food Program, After-School Activities, drop-in Youth Centre and the Cumberland Food Share. Maintaining and strengthening these programs is our first priority. 

This means we are putting a pause on Santa’s Breakfast for 2022. We appreciate how much our community values and loves this event- we love it too! Over the upcoming year we will continue to work toward increasing our capacity with the hope that we can bring back a holiday event in 2023. 

If you’d like to support CCSS this holiday season, you can check out our online Silent Auction, become a CCSS Monthly Donor, or make a year end tax deductible donation. If you’d like to volunteer with CCSS events in the future or sponsor Thunderballs 2023, send us an email at ccss.coordinator@gmail.com. 

We thank you all for your continued support. 

Photo Credit: Amy Shaw Photography