There have been some significant changes this year to the Bow Valley’s various campaigns to support community members during the holidays.
Both Santa’s Anonymous and the Bow Valley Christmas Spirit Campaign have taken the bold step of changing their distribution of hampers to local people in need.
Instead of hampers for residents of Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore and Bighorn, families and single people registered for the program will receive gift cards.
It has fundamentally altered the way that both programs operate, both in terms of what they are distributing and volunteer time and effort.
Less hampers to pack and deliver means a different labour requirement. But more importantly, it means freedom of choice for those on the receiving end of the exchange.
For those who are not yet on board with the change, we would suggest that by providing residents of our communities with the ability to choose their own food over the holidays, we are giving them an even greater gift – empowerment.
While hampers are a great effort and meant to support people during a difficult time, they are typically full of food people would not necessarily choose for themselves.
Imagine those with food restricted diets, allergies or just plain old preferences for one product over another.
By giving our friends and neighbours the choice at the grocery store, we give them the power over their own lives that a hamper would not.
But many residents may notice there is still an effort in Canmore to support a food drive. Royal LePage Rocky Mountain Realty’s annual event has been going strong for 25 years and there is no reason for it to end even with these changes.
The Bow Valley Food Bank still requires support over the holidays, and the food drive goes a long way to fill its shelves with non-perishable products for those who are in need.
The community of Morley still sees support from the Christmas Spirit Campaign in the form of hampers, as it is further away from the local grocery stores and not served by local transit routes.
The changes incorporated into both local campaigns should be applauded for recognizing agency and decision making as things everyone should be able to exercise during the holiday season. It may not make sense to everyone, but the fundamental purpose and mission for supporting those in need over the holidays remains the same.
We must also tip our hats to the Bow Valley Elves campaign for its continued success bringing Christmas joy to local seniors.
This year the efforts expanded to include Banff seniors, and the goal of providing a thoughtful gift for every senior in our valley warms the heart. If you haven’t yet taken up the opportunity to participate in the Elves program, seek out a local giving tree to grab a tag before they are all gone.
Of course, we cannot forget about the children. The giving trees in Banff include local children as part of the Santa’s Anonymous changes this year. Each child gets to choose the gift they want to receive and community members then purchase, wrap and provide them for under the tree. Thanks to all those who volunteer to run the programs and those who take the time to participate.
But there is more that all of us as members of the Bow Valley community can do to help out this holiday season. The fundraising has not even come close to finishing, and more cash donations are needed in Canmore and Banff. In order to provide the support Santa’s Anonymous and Christmas Spirit have set out to give, they need us to give as well. Financial contributions go a long way this time of year, and help to deliver a bright and merry holiday experience for our friends and neighbours, who like us all, live in the most expensive place in Alberta.
