The Christmas season is upon us, once again. Visions of melting credit cards dance in our heads as we venture out into the shopping wonderland and find holiday cookie delivery.Since the world economy took a blow to it’s midsection a growing number of people and families have found it has become more and more difficult to just get by, let alone celebrate the abundance of Christmas. When food and shelter are priority, everything else becomes secondary.

Last week I participated in the 33rd annual Realtor’s Food Drive, here in Vernon. One night we went to the neighbourhood outlined on our map and hung a plastic grocery bag on each door handle, with a note explaining what we were up to. What we asked for was a donation of non perishable food items to be placed in the bag and left outside for pick up the next evening.

And donate you did!  Wow!

The bags and boxes of food left out for us were amazing. House after house, there were the donations waiting. Most of the time people filled more than just the single bag we left behind and several times there was too much at one house for two hands to carry.

Our vehicle was a classic 1969 Chevy half ton truck, and it sure knew it was hauling a load when were done! Off we went to the the Salvation Army with our bounty, to find a lineup up trucks, cars and vans waiting to be unloaded. There were so many vehicles traffic had to be directed.

And once we made it through the line, the group of volunteers that helped unload and run the forklifts were the best! 19 tons of food donations takes a crew of dedicated people to move from here to there.

This was the first time I have been part of this effort, and it will certainly not be my last. It would be a wonderful day if there was no need for us to do this, and maybe that day will come. In the meantime, let’s give back to the community that gives so much to us. The Salvation Army kettles are out, and so are many other very worthwhile causes. Even the animals need our help.

Every little bit counts, and not just at Christmas. Whatever, whenever…it all matters.

Thank you Vernon for being such a wonderful place.

Merry Christmas to you.