On Saturday, December 9, 2017, the Bountiful Youth Group will be hosting their annual Firewood Day. This is a Christmas Service project delivering free wood to those in need around the valley. This year they are partnering with Valley Community Services. All wood recommendations and requests should be sent to them at 250 428 5547. In order to efficiently deliver the wood, they will need a name, address, phone number and whether this referral is for yourself or someone else. They also ask for instructions on where the wood should be stacked. Because of the huge response to this project, wood deliveries are prioritized based on need. The volunteers work hard to deliver as many loads as possible, but they are not able to get everyone with this one-day event. They are sorry about this but remain grateful to be helping as many people as we can.
Firewood day begins at 8:00 am when volunteers of all ages meet at the Bountiful community hall for breakfast and team organizing. The place buzzes with excitement and by 8:45 the crowd enthusiastically challenge the giant wood pile outside. Donated by local logging companies, the wood is a good mix of what can be found in our forests here in the Kootenays. By 9:00 am the first trucks are loaded and sent out for delivery. This system of splitting, loading, hauling, and stacking is continued as teams eagerly tackle the list of requests. At 1:30 pm a hot lunch prepared by families in the community is served to a very deserving crew. The energy remains high and people happily share stories of who they were able to help. This day is a yearly highlight for the community and people drive in from places as far as Cranbrook to participate. Volunteers donate their time, trucks, fuel, labour, resources, and food to see this project through. It is a beautiful act of giving with true Christmas cheer!
By the time the day wraps up, there is an overwhelming feeling of gratitude amongst the group. Gratitude for the recommendations for our neighbors in need, for the help and encouragement we receive for this project and gratitude for the ability to serve in such a simple and direct way.
Merry Christmas to friends and neighbours here in the Creston Valley! May it be warm and bright.
Submitted by Doris Johnson with the Bountiful Youth Group