Effective elves

We're heading into a harsh winter come what weather may as our health system continues to crush all but the most acute of patient care, opportunities and hope… results of decades of political mismanagement and neglect, not merely misfortunate pressures of a pandemic.

This isn't how our peer group envisioned our later chapters, so I remind myself I have much my granny did not, even though we've shared less than accessible healthcare. Because unlike those in their twenties and thirties today, I had bountiful, entirely hopeful chapters.

Meanwhile, prices at fuel pumps and grocery stores now prompt food versus heat calculations in which many Canadians would choose hunger over much more expensive burst water pipes in January… spiralling rent and heat bills leaving many neighbours wanting this winter.

For as I summon seasonal spirits, I'm not forgetting those with less than me. And as we dig into Christmas fare and frivolity, it can be hard to reconcile indulging festivities with the state of our world. Yet, celebrations needn't be framed with guilt.

Not if we're sharing the spirit of Christmas.

Imagine a hungry youngster whose single parent can maintain heat and rent, but not their larder; and how you could furnish their healthy breakfast through fueling programs like Links to Learning. Or help college students survive on something other than soup by giving generously to Gleaners' Food Bank.

Picture a man who bravely served his country but now struggles with a string of health issues and simply can't cope, someone who gave their all for others and now needs one of us. Contributing to the United Way in our community ensures such souls have someplace to transition, to shelter, to hold.

Consider a young woman forced to escape home violence… with nowhere to go, no family to turn to for help. Instantly change that by funding a warm bed to keep her safe for a night. Grace Inn Shelter serves all and gifts of any amount can keep a vulnerable person protected.

Spiritual sanctuaries also offer incredible assistance; aid them.

So many situations exist across our community and while extraordinary souls continue to champion solutions through organizational response, none can do any good without singular citizen contributions. Santa can't succeed without enthusiastic, effort-focused elves.

Elves are essential workers and without them, community services couldn't assist, aid, advocate or embrace, it wouldn't be possible. And since elves come in countless varieties with unique talents and tendencies, each offers improved solutions through broader viewpoints… illuminating and inspiring as much as tending to collective needs.

As VIHPE's Tracey Legault-Davis hoped; “We want to encourage the next generation to learn from them and help they neighbour.”

Creating a sense of contribution for ourselves well quells feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. So, rather than getting gloomy or brooding on bad when we encounter greater needs, kindle Christmas spirits by helping to solve them… as the effective elves we can be. We don't insulate ourselves from negative or sad situations requiring redress, but we do diminish our feelings of powerlessness, becoming profound parts of the team-based solution constructive communities can be.

Even $20 can alter someone's life on any given day, so, donate if you've got it, more if you've weathered lately with lots. And if you haven't volunteered yet, consider giving an elfish hour each month. Pick a purpose, choose a cause. Everyone needs your help.