Over the past two winters, during the Christmas holiday, we at SIRCH have used the season of giving as an opportunity to raise awareness about issues that some of our more vulnerable Highlands neighbours face on a daily basis. Our ‘Gifts from the Heart Catalogue’ serves not only to raise awareness and funds, but also to put the focus back on giving to others who truly need it. Of course it is us, the staff and volunteers of SIRCH, that are the proud change agents – the program developers and implementers – who ensure daily that the giving doesn’t end with the written cheque or credit card receipt, but remains the fuel that fires us to deliver effective, strength based programs that build resiliency and ultimately hope for our neighbours.
As we approach our Annual General Meeting and have crossed the bridge from one fiscal year to the next we can – and will – loudly exclaim the success of the ‘Gifts from the Heart Catalogue’ by retelling some of the more poignant stories and testimonials of who you helped, and how together we CAN and DO make a difference.
Medical treatment or food…what would you choose?
Recently one of our Community Kitchen volunteers informed us of a conversation she overheard at the Minden Food Bank, where a person came in to collect his Foodbank supplies only to be elated at the fact that there were healthy, yummy frozen meals available for him to take home (SIRCH’s Community Kitchen meals). With tears in his eyes he proclaimed that “I don’t cook for myself very much, often too tired to do so. With my current dialysis treatments [three times a week, all out of town, with transportation costs paid for out-of-pocket] I had to start making the decision between eating and dialysis. This food means more to me than I could ever say.”
Here are the results of YOUR donations to Gifts from the Heart Catalogue …
”I never would have been able to survive. It gave me reason to hope that things would get better.” Community Kitchen recipient
“Without the support I never would have been able to take my life back.” Hospice Client
“I no longer feel like a victim.” Parent – CAPC program
“SIRCH has implemented wonderful programs that assist families- programs that are meaningful to poverty reduction- grass roots projects that really make a difference and that’s what people in this community need, providing them with healthy food choices and resources they need to empower themselves to move forward in life.” HKPR Health Unit
So to you, generous donors and raving fans of SIRCH we thank you. We have the passion and commitment to do the work and your generosity fuels us to soar to new and better heights each and every year…..’cause just knowing you have our backs makes OUR days brighter. We look forward to yet another awe-inspired year with you by our sides.
Together we make a difference!
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