Hi everyone! Hope you had a wonderful week and are looking forward to a possible white Christmas morning. At the time of writing this column, the weather forecast was calling for snow on Christmas Eve and periods of snow on Christmas Day with a high of -3 C. Checking back on historical data, the last significant snowfall for the greater Vancouver area was in 2008 when a series of snowstorms broke 44-year-old records for the snowiest Christmas ever and was the first white Christmas since 1996. I don’t believe any records will be broken this year but it looks like there will be some of the ‘white stuff’ on the ground. Be safe on the roads if you have to travel.
The Halfmoon Bay Community Elementary School closed this year in perfect form. Grade 6/7 students filled 50 shoe boxes for community youth and the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living (SCACL) delivered them last week. These boxes are filled with gifts and personal items, which are much needed not just during the holiday season but during their everyday lives as well. Along with the shoe boxes, volunteers and students filled 12 Christmas baskets and delivered to families in the Halfmoon Bay community to help make the holidays a little brighter.
This season’s ‘Help For Families’ campaign organized by the Halfmoon Bay Community Association in their Community Initiatives Program has exceeded their original target of $10,000. Linda McMahon, President of HBCA said, “In a teary impromptu meeting, the school was given $4,000 with a further $6,000 to follow in the New Year.” Some of the funds will go towards the school’s ‘grab and go’ program, the students affectionately call it ‘Wendy’s Drive Thru.’ Wendy White, school coordinator said, “We were able to start the program in November and in the New Year, our goal is to provide hot breakfast items such as scrambled eggs and oatmeal once or even twice per week.” The funds donated will also be used throughout the year to help families during special times and to support ongoing programs. This truly is an amazing, generous community where people help and hope to bring some joy to others. Thank-you to everyone for all your hard work, countless hours of volunteer time and overwhelming donations.
The Halfmoon Bay Christmas Boat Parade scheduled for December 18 was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Although some along the Halfmoon Bay shoreline thought the sea state to be fine for boating, organizers John and Lynn Smith opted to cancel. “No one is more disappointed than us as this was in the making for months” said Lynn, “safety comes first.” Weather conditions changed throughout the day but the wind continued into the afternoon right around the time the boats would be departing from Secret Cove. Some observed one decorated boat that evening and on Sunday, there were reports of three (or was it four?) beautifully decorated boats slowly cruising along the shoreline in Halfmoon Bay just after sunset. Thank-you to those that braved the weather and brought smiles to all who were able to watch from shore. Thank-you Lynn and John for organizing, we look forward to next year and hope for better weather.
As this is my last column submission for 2021, it’s all about saying ‘thank-you.’ Thank-you for reading and reaching out to add to stories or comment on ones that were submitted. Your encouragement and kind words are very much appreciated. Thank-you to all the volunteers in our community who donate so much of their time to help make this little part of the world a better place. Thank-you to frontline and healthcare workers and first responders for all your hard work and dedication. Thank-you to neighbours, friends and family who are a part of my life. I value your friendship, kindness and love.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and may the New Year be filled with love and good health for everyone.
Be safe, be gentle, and always be kind.
