One week, the Athabasca Words Work Literacy Society announces it has to shut down its well-received Books for Babies program due to a lack of funding.
The next week, two local businesses, Cenovus Energy and Lincoln County Oilfield Services, step up with donations to keep to program active for another year.
Pleasant Valley Lodge officials request assistance from community residents to help with ‘comfort items’ for the new lodge, and are overwhelmed by the generosity of the response.
Members of the Whispering Hills Country Music Association volunteer at the Fort McMurray casino, then donate $19,000 in earnings to five different local organizations.
These are but a few examples of how area businesses and residents have gone out of their way to support local causes that exist for the betterment of our community.
It’s very easy to dwell upon the negative; to focus more on our struggles than our successes. But yet again this year, our community’s benevolence has risen to surface at the time of need.
Don’t think that we’re not unique in this trait; in many other communities, the struggles of community groups and charitable organizations are met with a collective shrug. Perhaps it’s because of the size of our community, but it seems that when word goes out that a worthwhile local group needs help, Athabasca comes rushing to the rescue.
All that’s asked in return is that these groups ‘pay it forward’ by continuing their efforts to make this a great community to call home.
