Those centers included:

·         INUUQATIGIIT CENTRE FOR INUIT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES (Ottawa area)

·         THE CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (Ottawa)

·         ODAWA NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTER (East Ottawa)

·         THE CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY OF THE UNITED COUNTIES OF STORMONT, DUNDAS AND GLENGARRY (Cornwall)

·         FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES OF LANARK, LEEDS AND GRENVILLE (Smiths Falls and Brockville)

·         FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES OF RENFREW COUNTY (Pembroke)

·         PIKWAKANAGAN FIRST NATION

Friendship Boxes are a signature program of I Love First Peoples, a charity that now boasts multiple chapters across Canada, and supports aboriginal communities, with a focus on children and education.  The Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville has been supporting the work of I Love First Peoples for several years now with financial and hands-on support in areas including the Rapid Lake Reserve in Northern Quebec.

The friendship boxes are packed by individuals, groups, schools, and community organizations; and shipped to, or picked up by I Love First Peoples, where they are sorted by age/gender, and programmed for distribution to reach aboriginal children.  The purpose of the Friendship Boxes is to bring love and joy to children and to encourage them to continue with their education.

During the COVID-19 situation, I Love First Peoples has seen a significant increase in demand for these boxes, especially for those aboriginal children in Child Services System.  Our Rotary Club was thrilled to be able to support the timely distribution of these items.  We delivered over 700 boxes over the two-day period with more than 600 additional boxes being prepared now for shipment to the Lac Simon Reserve in Quebec.

If you or your club is interested in packing a Friendship Box, please visit the I Love First Peoples on-line store at www.ilfp.ca