Celebrating her 100th birthday didnB次元官网网址檛 stop Barb Lavergne from taking up her usual post in the Campbell River Walmart jingling bells and receiving donations for the Salvation ArmyB次元官网网址檚 Christmas Kettles.

She does this every year sitting at the store entrance bundled up in her Santa hat, red gloves and warm jacket, a broad smile on her face. Only this year, sheB次元官网网址檚 coming off her 100th birthday on Dec. 11.

She was born in Brockville, Ontario and lived in Ottawa where she lived after the Second World War. During the war Lavergne served as a Wren, or the WomenB次元官网网址檚 Royal Canadian Naval Service, signing up in 1940. After the war she worked in a factory making telephones and switchboards.

Community service is important to Lavergne and thatB次元官网网址檚 why she volunteers every year to work the Christmas Kettles, this year spending three days at the Kettle.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a privilege,B次元官网网址� she says.

Lately, sheB次元官网网址檚 been using a special strategy with Evergreen bing games, selecting soap bars as prizes whenever she wins. She then collects them and donates them to the local womenB次元官网网址檚 shelter or the Salvation Army.

She has been a resident of Evergreen Seniors Home for 13 years, coming to Campbell River to join her sister at Evergreen.

Lavergne is an avid reader and has a lively sense of humour. She likes Campbell River, says itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渁 very friendly town.B次元官网网址� And because sheB次元官网网址檚 quick with the jokes, she adds with a twinkle in her eye, B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 been in a fight since I got here.B次元官网网址�

Meanwhile, LavergneB次元官网网址檚 advice to everybody is, B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檝e got to learn to get along with people, no matter who you are.B次元官网网址�