From the latke lunches and dreidel competitions sponsored by a local synagogue, to the 850 personalized B次元官网网址渁ngel giftsB次元官网网址� donated by local churches, schools, businesses and community groups, the season of giving is alive at Our Place.
Donations are flowing in the month of December, says community relations co-ordinator Tracy Campbell. There are meals booked for the whole next month, she says, that will help the poor, homeless and other vulnerable people in Victoria.
B次元官网网址淪o many people want to give of themselves during the holiday season,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淎ll of us B次元官网网址� feel sentimental. It brings back memories.B次元官网网址�
But the season of giving never really stops for many volunteers in downtown Victoria. Some 200 regular monthly volunteers cut vegetables, sort through donations, clean showers, hand out food and donate time and skill sets at Our Place.
Pixie MacCallum, Pat Larre and Steve Dull, who come from distinctly different backgrounds, chop vegetables and serve lunch every Friday. For them, volunteering is part of their belief systems and ethics.
B次元官网网址淎s far as IB次元官网网址檓 concerned, the most important thing in life is to be able to serve others,B次元官网网址� says MacCallum, who is BahaB次元官网网址檌.
Larre, a Christian, says about helping others, that B次元官网网址渋f you want to follow JesusB次元官网网址� path, thatB次元官网网址檚 part of what you do.B次元官网网址�
Steve Dull, a humanist and Marxist, says for him, itB次元官网网址檚 not so much about the feeling of giving back, but that he recognizes a need and has the time to help.
Lorreen Valan is someone who utilizes these services, but also provides them, serving meals and setting tables.
B次元官网网址淚 just felt like helping people out, it makes me feel good,B次元官网网址� she says.
Our Place is always looking for new volunteers to help out with its various services for the street community and meal provision for those in need. If youB次元官网网址檇 like to be a part of their crew, stop by 919 Pandora Ave., email volunteermgr@ourplacesociety.com or visit ourplacesociety.com and find opportunities under the heading.
