sky sports football Fundraising is underway for Niagara’s annual Stockings of Love campaign — shopping, stuffing and delivering thousands of filled stockings to seniors living on their own or in long-term care homes. But as the campaign grows bigger, extending into communities outside St. Catharines for the first time, organizers are asking Niagara residents for help to achieve its goal of more than 3,000 stockings. “We’re bigger because we’re reaching more people, meaning we need more financial donations and stuffed stockings, we just need more,” said founder Janice Ford-Spencer. “I need donations earlier than later — now — so I can sleep at night.” Ford-Spencer launched the campaign in 2018 with the hope of putting smiles on faces of seniors in her Port Dalhousie community. She knew support around the holidays was geared toward families and children, but saw a void in what was being provided to local seniors. Now, six years later, there are more seniors living in care homes or living on their own who are hungry and society “tends to want to forget them.” “They’re not the ones at the pulse of the conversation when people are sitting around the table talking about the state of affairs that our societies are in. They’re not the main topic,” said Ford-Spencer. “Bottom line, it’s a question of respect and teaching the right lessons to our young.” Each year, the number of stockings and donations for Stockings of Love has grown, going from 60 in its first year to more than 2,000 in 2023. This year, the hope is to surpass 3,000. Port Dalhousie resident Janice Ford-Spencer launched Stockings of Love in 2018. Stockings are filled with gifts geared to any gender and can include slippers, body lotion, crossword puzzles, playing cards, cosmetic cases, scarves, tissues, hand sanitizer, writing pads, herbal teas, snacks and more. A large portion of stockings go to seniors living in long-term care homes, but the campaign also works with local community organizations and churches to identify seniors on their own in need of a gift and some cheering up. “Who’s at home alone, who’s that widow struggling, who’s lost their spouse that year and doesn’t have children — these people are also hungry (and) can be alone and not have anyone see them on Christmas, so I find them,” Ford-Spencer said. “It’s about honouring them and their lives while they’re still here.” This season, Ford-Spencer is hoping to extend the project’s reach beyond St. Catharines. She has a small group set up in Niagara Falls and Grimsby volunteering to help seniors in their areas, taking “baby steps,” with the goal of adding more communities in the years ahead. “It was rather St. Catharines-based. There would be the odd, outside-the-boundaries, deliveries to recipients ... that’s happening, that’s very exciting,” she said. “The more seniors in the Niagara region we can reach, just the better it is and the happier everyone is.” Stockings of Love was a recipient of a 2023 Niagara Impact Award. As a volunteer-driven organization — Ford-Spencer calls volunteers who return to fill stockings every year her “elves” — the campaign is a win-win for every person involved. “The person who wants to make up the stocking loves to do that, remind them of their childhood and who doesn’t love that memory of getting one from Santa, and the recipients and the volunteers ... love coming to the workshop, the headquarters, and stuffing stockings,” she said. “I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s so successful and at the end of the day, it’s helping the people who are usually the forgotten ones.” In addition to collecting $25 pre-stuffed stockings, Ford-Spencer said they are also raising funds to purchase stockings and stuffers for people who cannot get to the drop-off locations. The campaign runs through Dec. 20. For more stocking stuffer ideas or to see a full list of drop-off locations, visit the Stockings of Love Facebook page at fb.me/stockingsoflove.seniorsaloneatchristmas . Donations are welcome by e-transfers sent to stockingsoflove1@gmail.com .By nominating the feckless Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Donald Trump wanted to show how far he’s willing to go in blowing up the federal government. How fitting that cynical ploy blew up in his face. Was Gaetz fit for the job? No way! He only practiced law for two years. He accomplished nothing in Congress except to lead the mutiny against Kevin McCarthy. He was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for having sex with a 17-year-old one day and then nominated for attorney general the next (details of his pay-for-sex parties have already leaked out). And he pledged to weaponize the Justice Department to go after the “deep state” and Trump’s political opponents. The Gaetz nomination was met with immediate shock and outrage — by fellow Republicans. He’s a “terrible pick,” said Washington Times political correspondent Byron York. The conservative Bible, the National Review, slammed his nomination as “foolish” and “futile.” Conservative commentator Ben Domenech called Gaetz “vile” and “abhorrent,” adding, “If you vote for him to be attorney general of the United States, you don’t just need your head examined, you need to be committed to a mental institution.” And John Bolton — who, remember, was Donald Trump’s national security adviser — called Gaetz “the worst Cabinet appointment in American history.” Facing the prospect of an ugly and ultimately unsuccessful confirmation hearing, Gaetz withdrew his nomination. The wheels are already starting to fall off the Trump wagon. Now, what about the rest of Trump’s insane Cabinet nominations? My answer — hold onto your hats — confirm them all! Let the beast loose! If Gaetz was not qualified for the job, neither are Trump’s three other controversial picks: former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence; Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense; and anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services. In fact, they are singularly unqualified. Gabbard has never worked in the intelligence world or served on a congressional intelligence committee. Two years ago, she was accused by fellow Republicans, including Adam Kinzinger and Mitt Romney, of spreading Russian propaganda. Hegseth has no senior military or national security experience. Accused of sexual assault at a Republican Party conference in California in 2017, he denied the claim, but still paid the woman to keep quiet. Kennedy has no formal scientific or medical credentials, other than his self-described role as “poster child for the anti-vax movement.” Nevertheless, Republican senators should still confirm all three. Why? Two reasons. First, because that’s what the American people voted for. Unlike 2016, when, one could argue, Americans were lulled into voting for Trump because they didn’t really know him, this time was no accident. They knew what they were getting in Donald Trump: an egomaniac, serial adulterer, pathological liar, racist, misogynist, twice-impeached, four times indicted convicted felon who vowed a second term built on revenge against his political enemies, carried out by spineless sycophants loyal to nothing or nobody but Donald Trump. That’s what Trump promised at every campaign rally. That’s what half of Americans voted for. That’s what they wanted, and that’s what they got. Now let them own it. Elections have consequences. And this is one of them. Second reason. I hate to say it, but those who voted for Donald Trump deserve the worst. Again, they knew how unfit he is to be president. They knew he would surround himself with an equally unfit band of dangerous extremists. But they ignored the warning of former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who called Trump a “fascist.” They dismissed the alarm expressed by former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney: “In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.” They voted for Trump, anyway. Chaos will result. Under Gabbard, our allies will no longer share intelligence with the United States, making us more vulnerable to foreign and domestic attacks. Under Hegseth, the Pentagon’s top generals will be sent packing and troops will be patrolling American cities, rounding up 12 million people here illegally, breaking up their families, and throwing them out of the country. Under Kennedy, the world’s best scientists and doctors at CDC will be fired and, without vaccines, we could well face a deadly measles attack. It’s going to be painful. People will get hurt. But here’s the good part: The worse it gets, the sooner Trump voters will realize their mistake, and the stronger the Resistance will grow. Let the reckoning begin. Bill Press’ column is distributed by Tribune Content Agency.

The connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. --Field Level MediaDisney's Moana Live-Action movie featuring Dwayne Johnson will be released at theatres. Johnson acted as Maui. John Tui will play the role of Chief Tui, Frankie Adams will play Sina, and Rena Owen plays the pivotal role of Gramma Tala, as per a report The Direct. While, Moana Live-Action movie's production has been concluded in November, the film's post-production will take around 1.5 years, The Direct reported. Moana Live-Action movie will be released on July 10, 2026. Also Read: How to win election in red states? The Democrats can learn from this fiery American evangelical pastor Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups: From Concept to Conversion By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Leadership Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Meanwhile, animated movie " Moana 2 " is releasing on November 29. “Moana”, which first released in 2016, is an American animated musical fantasy adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The film was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and is based on a story conceived by Clements, Musker, Williams, Hall, Pamela Ribon, and the writing team of Aaron Kandell and Jordan Kandell. The film also stars Auliʻi Cravalho in her film debut as the voice of the eponymous character and also features the ensemble voices of Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk. The film is set in ancient Polynesia and tells the story of Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a coastal village, who is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of Maui, a legendary demigod, in hopes of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her people. The plot is original, but takes inspiration from Polynesian myths. Also Read : Billboard ranks Taylor Swift as the No. 2 greatest pop star of the 21st century, who will be No. 1? This singer's name is doing the rounds The first "Moana" found box office success as well, topping 2016 box office numbers by earning $81.1 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday period and $55.5 million for the weekend. FAQs Q1. When will Moana Live-Action movie be released? A1. Moana Live-Action movie will be released on July 10, 2026. Q2. When will 'Moana 2' be released? A2. Meanwhile, animated movie "Moana 2" is releasing on November 29. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )