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The season to give and receive

As we make our holiday wish lists and check them twice before we head out to shop on the Coast this Christmas season, we should take a moment to remember how blessed many of us are.

As we make our holiday wish lists and check them twice before we head out to shop on the Coast this Christmas season, we should take a moment to remember how blessed many of us are.

The holiday season is a joyous time for celebration with family and friends enjoying festive parties, the exchanging of gifts and the wonderful food that comes with Christmas festivities.

But the holidays can also be a dark time for some in our community. Families are struggling to make ends meet and keep the essentials on hand for survival. They don't have the luxury of going out and shopping for gifts and sharing the joy of the season.

They are just worried about survival, which makes the holidays even more of a struggle as they see others celebrating, while they are just hoping to get by.

On the Coast, there are several ways you can give, so others can receive.

Supporting the Coast food banks is a logical choice. They need our support year-round, but even more so during the holidays. To that end, Coast Reporter is donating $500 to the food bank in lieu of presenting our clients with gifts this year. In a way, it's not just Coast Reporter presenting this monetary gift, it's our advertisers as well. We are also challenging other businesses on the Coast to meet or beat our donation.

Last week we highlighted the start of the popular Salvation Army kettle campaign. Volunteers will be out in force up and down the Coast in the next few weeks jingling their bells and asking for your donations. All the money received on the Coast stays on the Coast, providing much-needed support to many through the good work of the Salvation Army.

And while you are donating money, why not clean out your closets and attics and give back to the Salvation Army with your unused clothes? The Salvation Army can use jackets, gloves, hats and warm clothing to donate to those who need it.

The realtors at Prudential Sussex Realty are also doing their part with the 18th annual realtors care blanket drive. They are asking for clean blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing, which can be dropped off at their offices in Gibsons, Sechelt and Pender Harbour.

And who can forget about all the special Elves? - the Elves Club volunteers as they come together next Saturday night (Dec. 8) for the annual Elves Club telethon broadcast live from the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on Coast TV.

The Elves Club is responsible for delivering more than 700 Christmas hampers in a few weeks and needs your support to stuff them with toys and food to help make the holidays a bit brighter for many.

So enjoy the shopping, enjoy the festive season, and remember - 'tis the season to give and to receive.