I hope that all of you had a warm, wonderful holiday weekend with your friends and family.
I had the great pleasure and honor of volunteering at the local Eagles Lodge on Thursday, scooping out green beans to about 100 visitors who were there for a free, hot meal during the hour I was there. At that rate, they served hundreds of people and had dozens of volunteers on-site throughout the day.
We have so many people and organizations in our community who really care about helping others, and I was so pleased to be able to be a part of it.
Giving thanks and giving food were a naturally strong theme this holiday weekend, with the Festival of Trees hosted by the Vancouver Rotary Club. Events for the festival were free , with cashiers taking donations of non-perishable food.
On Friday night, we got the holiday season off to a great start with the Community Tree Lighting in Esther Short Park. It was a huge crowd and a gorgeous night. Thanks to everyone who attended, and to the Rotary Club, Clark PUD, the sponsors who made it possible, and Santa!
This weekend, don't forget to keep the spirit going by contributing the Walk & Knock. Leave a bag of non-perishable food at your front door on Saturday morning by 9am, and volunteers will pick it up for delivery to our area's food pantries. And if you've got some time on Saturday and are able to volunteer, contact Walk & Knock to find out how you can help!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Giving Thanks
What a year this has been!
While it's exciting to be closing our 2009 as the City of Vancouver's Mayor-elect, it's also incredibly humbling and heart-wrenching to know that it's been a difficult year in many other ways, for so many of us.
In these tough economic times, we've got more people out of work than any time in recent history, and more and more families across the country are going hungry every day.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we'll all take a look at what we can do to help others in our community, however we can -- and to keep that community spirit going throughout the year.
On Thanksgiving Thursday, I'll be joining the Vancouver Eagles at their lodge Downtown to give away free meals to those in need. This is a great service the Eagles provide every year, from 8am to 2pm, serving about 1,000 people. I will be heading over about 11am. if you've got some time and want to lend a hand, please give them a call at (360)693-8119.
And if you know some hungry people who could use a free meal and some good company on what can be a very lonely holiday for those without, please tell them to visit the Eagles on Thursday. 107 E. 7th Street.
Thanksgiving weekend also brings another community tradition, the Festival of Trees. I'm looking forward to the Community Tree Lighting on Friday night, and decorated trees at the Quay all weekend. This year, they've waived the admission fee and are asking guests to bring non-perishable food to donate to our food shelters and the Share backpack program. I hope to see you there, welcoming the Christmas season and joining with the community to help our neighbors.
While it's exciting to be closing our 2009 as the City of Vancouver's Mayor-elect, it's also incredibly humbling and heart-wrenching to know that it's been a difficult year in many other ways, for so many of us.
In these tough economic times, we've got more people out of work than any time in recent history, and more and more families across the country are going hungry every day.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we'll all take a look at what we can do to help others in our community, however we can -- and to keep that community spirit going throughout the year.
On Thanksgiving Thursday, I'll be joining the Vancouver Eagles at their lodge Downtown to give away free meals to those in need. This is a great service the Eagles provide every year, from 8am to 2pm, serving about 1,000 people. I will be heading over about 11am. if you've got some time and want to lend a hand, please give them a call at (360)693-8119.
And if you know some hungry people who could use a free meal and some good company on what can be a very lonely holiday for those without, please tell them to visit the Eagles on Thursday. 107 E. 7th Street.
Thanksgiving weekend also brings another community tradition, the Festival of Trees. I'm looking forward to the Community Tree Lighting on Friday night, and decorated trees at the Quay all weekend. This year, they've waived the admission fee and are asking guests to bring non-perishable food to donate to our food shelters and the Share backpack program. I hope to see you there, welcoming the Christmas season and joining with the community to help our neighbors.
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