A Different Kind of Christmas

January 5, 2021

Wife and husband volunteer team, Michelle and Sander.

Christmas 2020 is one many of us will never forget. With larger gatherings being restricted and everyone being told to stay home, the holiday season was definitely quieter this year.

For this reason – and because many of our clients are already homebound and live alone – continuing our annual tradition of delivering meals on Christmas Day despite the COVID-19 pandemic was even more important.

In total, 36 volunteers delivered free frozen turkey meals with all the trimmings along with gift bags filled with special treats to 133 clients. A number of other volunteers helped out behind the scenes with meal coordination and packaging gift bags.

Even though we had to keep our distance and it may have been a bit grey outside, volunteers showed up full of joy and energy, wearing festive colours, Santa hats and smiles behind their masked faces!

Thank you to Bytown Accounting and IODE (Laurentian chapter) for sponsoring the Christmas Day meals. It has been a year full of uncertainty and we are very appreciative for their financial support. Thank you also to The Good Companions Senior’s Centre for their in-kind donations, Ottawa Valley Quilters Guild for donating beautiful quilted placemats, as well as everyone who shared a holiday card and message for our clients.

Wishing everyone wonderful 2021. May it be filled with hope, good health and more hugs for all!