Merry Christmas to all my family and friends and loyal readers. Wishing you all the gift of health and happiness.
Don鈥檛 forget Christmas Eve service at one of the four churches in town. The peaceful surroundings, the beautiful music and message of Christmas are guaranteed to put a song in your heart.
Check out some of the fantastic Christmas light displays that have been put up by residents and businesses around town. It鈥檚 a great chance to share some social time with family or friends, or why not ask a senior or neighbour who might be all alone to join you for a little Christmas fun with your group. Also watch for the familiar vehicle of Gary as he has once again decked out a truck and trailer with lights and figures as he drives around town to put a smile on people鈥檚 faces just because he loves Christmas and he loves to share a little Christmas spirit around town.
Continue to spread good tidings throughout your community this holiday season. Help a senior shovel or chip ice off their property. Visit a shut in or someone who is alone this Christmas. Take the opportunity to spend extended time with your family, electronics free. Find a way to shine a light on someone who is not having such a happy holiday either because of loss, illness or loneliness. The best gift you can give away is the gifts you have to offer of yourself.
Secret Santa was thrilled with some of the monetary gifts they received this December that included the Unity Public School turning over their silver collection from their annual Christmas Concert of $525.15, which were topped off with the staff taking up a collection adding another $310. Con Alexander Trucking held a silent auction at their annual staff Christmas party and turned over the proceeds of $1,605 to the Secret Santa program.
The many things offered by our community resource centre are still unknown to many. Beginning with research, discussion and preliminary meetings in 2007 the Unity Community Resource Centre opened its doors in 2008. Services offered include: 鈥渘ew to you鈥� clothing depot, Unity Food Bank, Heartland Health District Autism Support, family support services co-ordinator, parent mentoring program, mental health counsellor, Ministry of Immigration resources, UTEC store front school for students wishing to complete or upgrade their high school education, community groups and moms and tots.
The resource centre operates solely on donations and grants. The board organizes fundraisers throughout the year. Gently used computers were donated by Unity Credit Union that allow free Internet and computer access for those that need it. One part-time employee helps with incoming donated items. There is also a job posting board for those looking for employment.
The 鈥淐elebrate Unity鈥� committee is looking for nominations for those in our community who have contributed time and dedication to community groups, activities, events, programs or activities. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 5 and you can email [email protected] with your nomination. The celebration event itself will be held the first week in March.
Unity Credit Union chose a number of ways to give back to their community in December that included presenting a cheque in lieu of flowers at the UCRC grand opening Dec. 10 as well as running a campaign on their Facebook page inviting followers to respond and a winner would be chosen. Each post鈥檚 winner won a $50 gift certificate eligible to be used at any Unity business and a $50 donation would be made to the winner鈥檚 charity of choice. This gesture allowed multiple winners throughout December.
Delta Co-op staff, who pay for the privilege of dressing down each Friday, turned some of these collections into Christmas donations to local charities that included Prairie Branches group care homes, Bethany Assisted Living in Wilkie as well as Stars Air Ambulance, totalling $1,200.
Staff and students are officially on a well-deserved Christmas break set to resume classes Jan. 4.
A big shout out to UCHS Activate Team/Positive School Climate Committee, along with our UCHS leadership class who were encouraging 鈥減ositive posting鈥� in their 12 Days of Christmas Compliments campaign. Check out the page @ActivateUCHS for some excellent reading in over 1,000 posts.
The curling club Boxing Day bonspiel will be held on the Dec. 26 with regular league curling resuming聽 Dec. 29. Junior and school programs will be on break until school resumes.
Take the opportunity of some down time this holiday season to spend quality time with your family either enjoying the outdoors or watching a movie or two. Put down the electronics for a time and just talk to those around you.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who stopped to tell me they appreciate this column, even if they don鈥檛 live in Unity. It is great to feel appreciated. I wish you all much health and happiness this coming year and many blessing to you all this Christmas season.
The Unity multiple 4-H club annual craft retreat will be聽 held Friday, Jan. 14 to Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Legion Hall in Unity. The cost is only $85 and includes meals and snacks. Registrations can be dropped off at JayDee Ag Tech or the Press Herald office with the deadline being Jan. 11.
Coffee row folks may now be seen in reduced numbers as regular rowers are either hosting family or visiting family over the holidays. Nonetheless, this part of our community culture is still present and there is still no lack of topics to discuss for whoever is able to attend. Whether its Christmas plans they have, the action at the local hockey and curling rink or discussing the weather this winter, there is always something to mull over while enjoying a cup of coffee with friends. So, you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
