With all the snow on the ground, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. It’s hard to believe that November is already winding down and the holiday season is almost here.
Christmas time is all about family. For many of us, the holidays mean getting together for a big dinner, and opening presents on Christmas morning.
For many people, however, the Christmas holidays can be a stressful time. For those on a fixed income or working part-time, it may be difficult to get by at this time of the year.
Parents may worry about how to provide the joys of Christmas for their kids, while still making their bill payments. Everyone should have the chance to enjoy the holidays on a full stomach, and without worrying about how to make ends meet.
After all, while Christmas is a time for getting together as a family, it is also a time for coming together as a community. It’s the time to give a helping hand, and make sure everyone can share in the holiday cheer.
Every year around this time, the Salvation Army kicks off its annual kettle campaign, to raise money to help those in need. Bell ringers and red kettles become a familiar sight around the country, as one of Canada’s biggest and most recognizable charitable events gets underway. The annual kettle campaign supports a wide range of Salvation Army programs, and has been going strong for more than a century.
But volunteers and donations are needed to make it possible.
This year, let’s all take the time to give back to the community.
Volunteer with or donate to the Salvation Army’s kettle campaign or any of the other great charities here in Williams Lake, and help give the gift of Christmas.
Coralee Oakes is the MLA for Cariboo North and is the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.