Again this year, Harriston Legion Branch 296 was the hub of activity for those not so fortunate at Christmas.
With the help of local businesses, service clubs and individuals from the community, the Legion donated $1,000 to the Harriston Food Bank. This money, along with donated gifts, provided joy at Christmas for 60 families in Harriston and surrounding area.
An attempt was made to determine the origin of this commendable act of caring and sharing by the Legion each Christmas. To no one’s surprise, it is thought to have originated in the early 1960s in the basement of Mr. Legion, Tuffy MacDougall’s home.                               
Tuffy had a way of finding where there was need  and then discovering a means of filling that need. As this project developed over the years, it shifted to Branch 296 and began to involve more Legion and community members.
In 1990, the Harriston Food Bank was started and the Legion and the food bank have spearheaded this worthy Christmas endeavour ever since.
Again this year, the Legion was able to provide some happiness at Christmas for those who would otherwise not enjoy a merry Christmas. Branch 296 would like to thank all the groups and individuals who made the 2009 Christmas hamper project an overwhelming success.