To the Editor:
(Re: “Erickson cherry farm owner defends visiting pickers”)
Thank you, Susan, for your letter to the editor with a gentle reminder to all of us — that we should not judge a book by its cover or a person by what they wear.
Many of us do not have the opportunity to meet or get to know the fruit pickers who come to work in our valley because they are here for such a short time. If we did have that privilege, I believe that we would think differently. These are young people who have come west to experience Western Canada and are away from their home province for most of the summer. Like any other young adults, they love to talk, ask questions, share their stories and are most grateful for anything special — like home baked muffins or fresh vegetables from the garden.
Picking fruit is not an easy job and it takes committed, hard-working individuals to stick it out. Work starts early in the morning, some days are pretty hot by noon and some mornings can be very chilly, requiring toques and gloves. So while most of the population of Creston are still slumbering these young people are working hard to contribute to the main industry of our valley, agriculture. Where would we be without the fruit pickers?
While I am saddened to learn that we as volunteers at the Gleaners make some rash and unnecessary comments, I would also like to say that we make a special effort to assist the fruit pickers by collecting and storing things that we have learned over the years that they may need. A simple request for warm sweaters, mitts and toques would be a mammoth task when you think there may be more than 500 boxes to check. So now we gather these items in preparation for that request. We have learned to store bikes, backpacks, small packages of soaps, shampoo, small kitchen items and many other things for them.
The pickers are very grateful for all the hospitality and even thought some have need of the food bank when they first arrive, they have also been known to give a donation to the food bank when they leave. Personally, I look forward each year to when the pickers return. They are a happy lot, full of life and energy.
Jean Syroteuk
Erickson