Well, how much fun can making a fundraising calendar be? A great deal, according to all who participated in the past two months. We want to thank those who helped us along the way. Michelle Hansen of Imagine Ink, Mimika and Paul Coleman for letting us take over Jimmy’s Pub for three hours, Gail Kitt of Footlighters who helped us find costumes and did makeup, Jason Smith who assisted photographer Brian Lawrence of Inverted Images Photography, the Creston Rotary Club, which helped with the distribution of the calendar to our donors, and volunteers Sharon Wesolowski, Ann Miller, Barry and Judy Freeman, Linette Collins and Terry Nowak.
Thanks to Overwaitea Foods for letting us have a table one day, as well as Creston Card and Stationery, Kingfisher Used Books, Creative Fix and Black Bear Books, where they have made display space for the calendars. Thanks to the Creston Lions Club, town council and those who’ve been purchasing them at the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market.
What a busy month it’s been at the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors! In addition to the regular programs, there’s been Christmas cracker making, upcycling Christmas cards and an evening trip out in the bus to see the lights. The band and choir can be heard singing, you guessed it, carols and hymns, and they’ve gone to Crest View Village and Swan Valley Lodge to sing with friends and residents there.
Volunteers and seniors were treated this past week to a dinner prepared by students from Prince Charles Secondary School. Two community volunteers donated all the food and led the student team. Turkey season was officially launched. Thanks to Desirae Robinson, Eva Basaraba, Rebeka Mehrer, Alex Larson, Calvin Kashuba and Abdul Samai, who have been helping with the dinner for four or five years since Grade 8. They are all now in Grade 12 and consider this to be their Christmas tradition. In their words, “They touch my heart.” The youth, as well as helping to cook, serve and visit with us, also raise funds that are sent to a market program in Honduras to help with a child’s education for a year. Thanks to the generosity of the seniors and visitors, there were enough funds raised that evening to help three children this year.
The generosity and merriment continues as the Krafty Kronys are getting ready to host two Christmas lunches next week for the seniors and volunteers.
There’s someone we want to thank who is vital to how well our transportation functions, someone who quietly goes about taking care of the buses to make sure they are inspected and functioning. That person is Jim Daniels, who continues to volunteer his time for this task. Thanks, Jim, from all of us.
So, it looks like we have a date for moving to Rotacrest Hall: Jan. 30. Bridget and her crew have been doing much sorting and clearing in preparation, and that will continue into January.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy holidays, and offering heartfelt gratitude to the community for helping us continue to provide this program.
If you wish to make a donation to TAPS for 2014 or at anytime, it can be sent to Valley Community Services, 915 Pine Street, P.O. Box 187, Creston BC, V0B 1G0, or visit www.valley.services.org and look for the “donate” button.
Maureen Cameron is the community liaison development co-ordinator for the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors.