A little extra holiday cheer can go a long way for members of the community who sometimes get forgotten at this time of year.

At least thatB次元官网网址檚 the hope of Keep in Touch program volunteers, West Shore RCMP officers and auxiliary members, who were busy loading up two community policing vans with poinsettias and tins filled with cookies on Wednesday.

B次元官网网址淭his is just something we thought would be special for them B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 a way to be with them,B次元官网网址� said volunteer co-ordinator Donna Ensor. SheB次元官网网址檚 been overseeing the program for 11 years and often takes extra shifts when others are sick or canB次元官网网址檛 make it in. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just such a wonderful program."

Organized through the Community Policing Office of the local RCMP detachment, the programB次元官网网址檚 aim is to reach out to people who live alone or may have medical issues. Program clients receive a daily (Monday to Saturday) phone call at a scheduled time to check in and just say hello. If volunteers canB次元官网网址檛 get through, they will phone that personB次元官网网址檚 emergency contact, and if that fails, the detachment will send an officer over to investigate.

By dropping off these holiday treats, and the special tea they host in May, Ensor said, it allows program participants the chance to put a face to the voice that could be the only phone call they receive for the day.

One of the volunteers even created a card, with a picture and a name of all of the volunteers, so participants could see whom they were speaking with between special events.

B次元官网网址淭hey appreciate it so much.B次元官网网址� Ensor said often when they show up at doors with the holiday treats, clients are overwhelmed, and believe they should be doing something for the volunteers. Not the other way around.

Volunteers often establish a special bond with the person on the other end of the phone line, she said. B次元官网网址淲hen they pass (away) itB次元官网网址檚 like youB次元官网网址檝e lost a family member.B次元官网网址�

The program has 34 clients and 15 volunteers and the service is only offered to West Shore residents. Ensor said sheB次元官网网址檚 even had people tell her they want to move so they can be a part of it. She said a number of members of the community who would be a good fit for the program just donB次元官网网址檛 know about it, and sheB次元官网网址檚 worried theyB次元官网网址檙e missing residents.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always looking for new people because we know theyB次元官网网址檙e out there,B次元官网网址� she said.

For more information or to volunteer, phone the West Shore RCMP Community Policing office at 250-391-3327.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com