Card campaign brings holiday cheer to WIAIH

This year, 12 local artists have donated designs. Among them is intellectually handicapped artist Shelagh Culley.

WIAIH director Nathalie Chapman said the campaign is well underway. The non-profit organization, which receives no government funding, hopes to raise about $25,000 through the campaign.

“You can buy them individually or by the hundreds,� she said. “We like to sell them in the hundreds to companies. It’s a big fundraiser for us.�

WIAIH had its government funding, of about $160,000 annually, cut in 2003.

“We have survived and flourished,� Chapman said. “We’re more autonomous now. We were helped with funding by Centraide — and we were able to balance our budget this year.�

She hopes a successful Christmas-card campaign will allow WIAIH to balance its books once again next year. The group provides support for children and adults who live with intellectual handicaps, and their families.

Each card costs 80 cents, with discounts for larger orders of 100 or more. Blank cards are also available and personalized greetings can be added. The cards are printed in colour on recycled paper, and envelopes are included. If you are interested in purchasing greeting cards, visit WIAIH at 111 Donegani Ave., Pointe Claire, or call 514-694-7090. You can view the cards online at www.wiaih.qc.ca