Eddystone, Man., is a little town with a big heart.
Every Christmas for as long as 4-H leader Jeannette Richards can
remember, the community has come together for a free Christmas meal.
This year is no exception with the dinner provided by Richards’
Eddystone Combined 4-H Club on Dec. 22 at the Westlake Community Centre.
“It’s an appreciation to our community for being there when we need
them,” said Richards of the region’s support of 4-H programs and
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fundraising locally.
Eddystone, home to a curling rink, fisheries co-op, garage and senior’s
housing, has less than 100 residents but draws more than 160 people
from the surrounding ranching country for the dinner.
The meal is just one of thousands of acts of giving by individuals,
groups and organizations on the Prairies at Christmas time.
Eddystone 4-H, which offers everything from photography and mechanics
to livestock and home economics projects, has just 18 members. They,
with their families, make the meal, which includes 27 kilograms of
turkey. They raise money for food purchases totalling close to $300 by
catering a senior citizens’ ball tournament every summer.
Guests are invited to contribute to food and gift hampers, for which
the club sells tickets and raffles off at the dinner. Santa makes an
appearance and is given a turkey for his efforts.
Richards, a project leader for 19 years, said the 4-H Christmas
tradition began as a meal for seniors and grew to include the whole
community.
Serving the community at home and overseas also is equally important to
Saskatchewan seniors Tina and David Buhler.
The Buhlers, who moved to a Saskatoon seniors residence from their home
near Martensville, have long co-ordinated the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
It collects donations of grain and money from Canadian farmers and
others to aid the needy in third world countries.
This year, a charity auction held on a farm near Hague, Sask., raised
more than $100,000 for the foodgrains bank.
“Whatever we do for others is done for the Lord,” said David, who with
Tina is actively involved in the Mennonite Church.
In addition, Tina has provided a home for unwed mothers and served as a
Big Sister from 1971 to 2001, the year her “little sister” died from
cancer. She has also spent the last 10 years volunteering two days each
week in the palliative care unit of St. Paul’s Hospital.
In recognition of this work, she received the governor general’s caring
Canadian award this month.
“I love to let people know that somebody cares for them,” said Tina.
“It gives you that peace in your heart that you’re doing something for
somebody.”
David agrees. “We feel we receive more blessings than the person
receiving the care,” he said.
Animals are also not forgotten this Christmas.
Susan Church of the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association said a phone
line will be staffed throughout the holidays to protect livestock in
distress.
“We consider it producers helping producers,” said Church, who draws on
a pool of farmers to provide feed and shelter when needed.
“We want to make sure animals are properly cared for,” said Church.
The animal care alert line is 800-506-2273.
