On Christmas Eve, something magical happened in South Surrey-White Rock. Isolated seniors who were preparing for a quiet and lonely Christmas were visited by volunteers bearing packages of hot meals and holiday cheer!
Organized by Sources Volunteer Services and Amica White Rock, approximately 20 volunteers (including SOURCES staff and board members, local politicians and community friends, along with their families) arrived at the senior care facility on the evening of December 24, 2020 to pick up and deliver boxes of delicious Christmas dinners (freshly cooked and packed by Amica), plush teddy bears (donated by Calendar Club), beautiful potted plants (donated by the team at West Coast Gardens) and holiday cards (provided by SOURCES) to seniors in our community. Many of the recipients normally attend the annual Community Christmas Dinner which was cancelled due to COVID-19.
In total, 140 packages were delivered!
Amica White Rock
City of Surrey Coun. Linda Annis
Sources Foundation director Chuck Keeling and family
South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay
One of the volunteers had this to say:
“As I was the last in line, I received an extra 18 dinners. That night I delivered 16 to a seniors home. Then I found two senior men who live alone in White Rock and between them they took five meals (for two nights). The next day (Christmas Day), I delivered to a family of six (kids are 9, 7, 5 and 2 years old) and had four new stuffies I could give them too. I gave two more meals to a senior couple who are stuck inside because of health issues and the final meal to a senior widower on his own. They were all very appreciative. Thank you for all you do!”
“We want people to know that we’re all in this together. This is community,” said Carrie Belanger, Manager of Volunteer Resources at SOURCES. “It was really amazing for all of us to be together even though we were 2 metres apart. The feedback from the seniors that I have heard is of appreciation and connectedness – for a hot meal on a cold night and for being thought of during a time when many might not be. To all the volunteers and to Amica White Rock, THANK YOU for spending a little of your time this past Christmas Eve to bring holiday cheer home to so many who are alone and isolated.”
