File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Sadie Hunter

In The Loop

HUNTER: December doesn’t have to be dark

Dec 6, 2022 | 10:48 AM

DECEMBER MARKS THE SEASON of giving and receiving. Traditionally, the first weekend of the month is when people put up the Christmas tree and start to prepare for the holidays.

But this time of year isn’t full of cheer for everyone – for a variety of reasons.

Celebrations and holidays can be very challenging for those who have lost or are separated from loved ones. Meanwhile, social media, television and movies constantly depict happy families and romance as a benchmark of holiday success. For many, it’s a cruel reminder of something they might not have.

For many, the next four weeks will be marked by isolation, loneliness and depression. I’d venture to guess frustration and anger, too, depending on what makes the holidays difficult. While I love winter, I find the extended darkness of these months difficult and have to intentionally find ways to stay active and busy to avoid the winter blues.

With inflation soaring this year, the holidays will also bring about extra financial stress. Gifts, events, activities and even holiday meals cost money outside of our typical budget. I remember my excitement about Christmas as a kid always being a bit tempered by knowing we couldn’t always afford the gifts we were getting.

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As a single parent, I experienced the incredible challenge of wanting to provide the best experience possible while knowing I couldn’t really afford anything extra. I knew anything spent on the holidays would be borrowing from the budget of the next few months. I don’t say this with regret; I state this as a reality many live – and not just at Christmas.

Whether you find yourself struggling this year or are carrying on into the holiday season as normal, I have a few ideas on what we can all do to create a merrier season. As I write this on International Volunteer Day (Dec. 5th), it seems fitting most ideas involve the giving of time. Even if you’re making a financial donation, the disbursement of these benefits is largely done by volunteers supporting organizations.

Let’s break this down into a few categories (I apologize if I miss an opportunity here. Please feel free to add your comment where you see this column posted!).

Ways to give your time:

I always found volunteering lifted my spirits, even when I was struggling myself. It gave me something purposeful and impactful to be part of and a social connection with other volunteers. If you’re feeling isolated, consider sharing some of your time volunteering with others. I’m listing season-specific volunteer opportunities this time around, but of course volunteers are needed all year by most organizations.

● Snow Angel program – help shovel snow for seniors in Kamloops! Contact: snowangels@volunteerkamloops.org

● Operation Red Nose – a designated driving service that gets you and your vehicle home safely. Contact (250) 320-0650 or email kamloops@operationrednose.com.

Ways to donate time and/or money:

● A Way Home Campout to End Youth Homelessness (Dec. 9) – take part by collecting pledges or donate to a camper.

● Salvation Army – You can donate and/or volunteer to help with the annual Kettle Campaign, help prepare Christmas Hampers, adopt a family for Christmas, or donate online.

● Christmas Amalgamated – provides presents and food hampers to Kamloops residents for the holiday season. Located in the ‘Wings above Kamloops’ building, located on Windsor Avenue, phone: (250) 376-0777 (phone may not be connected yet).

● The Loop – Providing warm daytime shelter and food this winter. Donations of warming clothing, hand/foot warmers and blankets can be dropped off at 405A Tranquille Rd. between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Cash donations can be made by e-transfer to kcmtloop@gmail.com. If you’re interested in volunteering contact the same email or call (250) 879-0465.

● The Mustard Seed – cash donations accepted all year, and donations of specific items are accepted during the 12 Days of Giving campaign running Dec.12 – 23. Information about volunteering can be found on their website.

● Out of the Cold – One of the organizations operating emergency winter shelters this year (along with The Mustard Seed). Connect with them to find out how you can volunteer and/or donate.

Ways to donate financially:

● London Drugs Stocking Stuffers for Seniors (until Dec. 8) – partners with local care homes and charities with a mission to bring more holiday cheer to seniors. Check the Christmas Tree in store for more details.

● Kamloops Centre for Seniors Information Secret Santa Program – donate through the London Drugs program or drop off a gift valued between $25-50 of personal hygiene and comfort items at one of three CSI Kamloops locations. You can also nominate a senior by contacting CSI Kamloops!

● Emerald House Purse Drive (until Dec. 14) – donate gently used purses filled with essential items for vulnerable women this holiday season. Drop off locations include Senor Froggy’s at 724 Sydney Ave, Heather’s Fabric Shelf at 1800 Tranquille Rd. and the Castanet Kamloops office at 102-635 Victoria St.

● The Shoebox Project (until Dec. 16) – fill a shoebox with new items (including one of these: a gift card, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks and nut-free chocolate or candy) totalling about $50 and drop it off at 207-1211 Summit Dr. in the Abbott Wealth Management office.

● Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 18) – Presented by Uptown Chefs & Romeos Kitchen + Spirits this year’s family-friendly event will benefit the Royal Inland Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

● Cassie’s Charity Drive – fundraiser for the Kamloops Hospice Association. This year, participants can enter an online silent auction, make cash donations and drop off much-needed items like men’s winter gear, gently used clothing and hospice wishlist items at 5215 Dallas Dr. until Dec. 20 (online cash donations until Dec. 30).

● Kamloops This Week Christmas Cheer Fund – Money raised in the Cheer Fund will be distributed equally to the Y Women’s Emergency Shelter, Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association, Kamloops Brain Injury Association, Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism and the Kamloops branch of the BC SPCA. Donate online through the BC Interior Community Foundation website.

Of course, there are always smaller ways to give back to the community and brighten someone’s day. It can be as simple as showing a little patience, being courteous to staff and others in places you visit and sharing a smile with others. I hope everyone finds a way to brighten up December this year.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.