By David F. Rooney
One of the great things about Revelstoke is our community’s grassroots approach to getting things done.
Yes, we have well-organized agencies such as Community Connections leading the way, but we also have individuals young and old launching their own small but vital campaigns to help others at this time of year. That’s important because this season can be tough on many people, especially those who are down on their luck.
Two campaigns that have come to my attention recently are the annual Mitts for Revelstoke Kids campaign organized by Carol Sakamoto and the new Operation Warm campaign started by Grade 7 boys Jayke Coueffin and Kobe Brunetti.
Carol’s campaign seeks cash donations from generous members of the public. Look for the piggy banks at retail store counters throughout the city and please drop some coins in them. Your donations pay for the skeins of wool used by local women who knit mitts, socks and scarves for local kids. Those products of their dexterous fingers are distributed via the Christmas Hamper program. (Please click here to view the poster.)
Jayke and Kobe’s campaign seeks warm, gently used winter coats for adults and kids. If you call 250-837-1342 or 250-837-8952 one or both of the boys will arrange to pick up your donation. (Please click here to view their poster.) So far they have collected about 80 coats.
All of the city’s schools, meanwhile, will soon begin seeking Food Bank donations as the price of admission to their Christmas Concerts. And, on December 7 the Multicultural Society is holding a seasonal Multicultural Potluck Dinner at the United Church starting at 3:30 pm. This festive communal invites people to bring multicultural dishes and seasonal foods to share. (Please click here to view the poster.)
There’s more food sharing ahead, too, as the annual Annual Community Christmas Dinner takes place at the Old Frontier on Christmas Day. That free meal has been offered to lonely people and newcomers for 21 years and says a lot about who we are as people. Watch for details on The Current in the weeks ahead.
