Generosity and compassion are by no means limited to the holiday season, yet our energies often become focused on these areas during this season of giving.
As our Seniors section columnist Brian Kieran reflects on page 13 – channelling his inner Dickens – it is at Christmas time it seems, that “want is most keenly felt.”
Oak Bay residents and businesses have shown, however, that they are up to the challenges presented to Scrooge by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future.
During a wet, windy evening earlier this month, locals enjoyed the annual IOEA Lighted Truck Convoy and donated 1,017 pounds of food and nearly $500 to the Mustard Seed. Others braved the frigid waters of Willows Beach to raise money and show their support for local initiatives helping Syrian refugees.
Throughout the season, Oak Bay residents have shown themselves a compassionate lot.
Especially heartening is the efforts of local children to do what they can. Last Friday we brought you the story of five Willows elementary students collecting warm clothes for the folks at Our Place. The sentiment expressed by all of the children was simple and heartfelt: they wanted to help people who lacked even the basics of warm clothes and shelter.
Their donations will have an impact long after the Christmas lights are packed away.
This coming weekend, book lovers can head to St. Mary’s Church to take in their Christmas book event – obe=proceeds to the church’s various local charities – or donate food and warm outer clothing at Oak Bay’s South Island Property Management office on Cadboro Bay Road.
Is there still more we can do?
Of course, and we look forward to sharing those stories with our readers and the community in the days before Christmas, and the weeks and months after.