Christmas is a time of giving. As the white stuff begins to fall and the eggnog begins to flow, as Santa Claus sightings become commonplace and wreaths start adorning every doorway, we are reminded of that sentiment nearly everywhere we look.
Christmas is a time of giving.
As the white stuff begins to fall and the eggnog begins to flow, as Santa Claus sightings become commonplace and wreaths start adorning every doorway, we are reminded of that sentiment nearly everywhere we look.
Since I've come to Barrhead in July, I have covered a variety of events that focus on giving back to the community, whether it happens to be a biker-led toy drive for FCSS or an open air cinema food bank donation, so I know the spirit of giving is alive and well within this community.
At the Leader, the discussions lately have turned to the subject of donations and holiday cheer, and given the history of Barrhead's support of charities and non-profits like the FCSS, I wondered whether or not a personal challenge from me to you, the reader, might not be a good idea.
We have seen the shoeboxes destined for far-away places that are filled with dollar-store items or personal hygiene products, or if not, most of us have at least heard about the practice, have we not?
We know the Trudeau government is bringing in 10,000 Syrians before December 31, but most of them will probably never see Barrhead, so maybe we can focus our efforts more locally and take care of some people in our own community instead.
As you can see from the picture, I succumbed to the whimsy of the day and donned an elf-eared Christmas hat to pose beside the Leader's own food bank donation box and I am using my column to ask you, the readers, to do the same.
If you go grocery shopping, an extra can of beans or a box of noodles is probably not going to break your bank, and if you do it right, your family probably won't even notice that you bought something that isn't for them.
So how about it, Barrhead?
Do you have what it takes to answer my challenge?
I know the FCSS is still looking for families that are in need, that they have more interest in sponsorships than they know what to do with.
From the conversations I have had with Ros Rudd and others at the organization, I can say I live in a community that looks after its own.
So, while I am pushing for my colleagues to donate more food for our own box, I am asking you to do the same.
I know you already give so much, but I know too, that if any of us were hard up, we would appreciate a little bit of generosity as well.
Will you, like me, put a donation box in your house, office or place of business?
