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EDITORIAL: Cheers for volunteers

By donating, you become part of the volunteer process. You may not be volunteering your time, but you are offering something for free.

Volunteers are the backbone of any community. People who work tirelessly, not for a paycheque, but because they want to help and they care about others and the community itself.

The holiday season is a time when these volunteers shine brighter than ever.

Walk into any store and you’ll find someone standing in front of a pot, ringing a bell, looking for donations. Visit St. Joseph’s Food Bank and you’ll find numerous people stocking shelves and lending a hand.

The same can be said for the Mission Christmas Bureau, Food Centre and countless other organizations that just want to help. (And if you do stop by these establishments, don’t forget to leave a donation).

By donating, you become part of the volunteer process. You may not be volunteering your time, but you are offering something for free to help others.

The challenge every year for these kinds of organizations is the need for volunteers and donations doesn’t end at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. The holiday season may be officially over, but the need of others goes on and on.

People go hungry in the summer as well as the winter. The food bank and food centre are open all year long, seeking donations when the talk of charity has simmered down. There are dedicated volunteers who also work year round, but more are always needed. Will you give when the season of giving is over?