Liam Peck (left) organized a fundraiser with his friends to collect chocolates for seniors during the holidays (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

CHEERING UP SENIORS AT CHRISTMAS!

Group of Kamloops boys collecting chocolates to sweeten Christmas for seniors

Dec 15, 2020 | 4:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — There will be few family gatherings this Christmas thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. There also won’t be any visitation at care homes. However, a group of Kamloops boys is trying to brighten up the holidays for seniors.

Liam Peck, who’s a boy scout, recruited his neighbourhood friends in Batchelor Heights to collect chocolate donations they can in turn deliver to care homes in the city.

“It makes you feel really good because most of the time, seniors don’t really get to see their families during COVID. Because of the holiday season, it inspired us to get chocolates and cards for them,” said Peck.

His friend Domenik Guido added, “We wanted to do this because all the seniors can’t really see their families this Christmas, so we started to raise chocolates for them to make them happy.”

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During a normal year, Liam and his scout friends would be visiting The Hamlets and singing Christmas carols. However, COVID-19 cancelled those plans.

“It’s going to make me feel sad because normally I really enjoy singing to the seniors. They really like it,” said Peck.

The boys have turned lemons into, well, chocolates.

“We were noticing that the seniors were pretty upset because they can’t see their families during COVID,” noted Peck. “We decided to raise chocolates for them, so they won’t feel as sad.”

It’s a feel-good fundraiser that’s giving the boys and their parents the warm and fuzzies.

“It makes me feel proud that he is thinking of others at the holiday season and that he wants to still fulfill his promise as a scout to go out and bring them joy at Christmas,” said Liam’s mom Marissa Peck. “It’s great that he’s reined in some of his pals to help him with card-writing and getting chocolates from their families and their schools and organizations.”

With a family connection, Save-On Foods donated a load of chocolates for the boys, who are delivering the chocolates and cards to 216 residents at The Hamlets on Saturday. With all the extras they have, they’re sending packages to other care homes as well.

“If we can hit every home, that would be fantastic,” said Marissa.

If you would like to donate to the boys’ cause, you can drop off chocolates or any other treats at the Pecks at 2153 Doubletree Crescent. The group is willing to pick up donations as well.