Christmas at the Seed

Christmas was definitely different for me this year. I worked 7 days straight, working both the 23rd and 24th (Saturday and Sunday). I did have the 25th and 26th off.

The week before Christmas was busy. I was involved with the Wish List. This is a program where families and individuals can 'adopt' needy families as well as individuals who live at the Seed and buy Christmas presents for them. These families and individuals prepare a 'wish list' of all the things they would like to have or need. It was neat to see some of the families picking up their presents and the amazed looks and their emotions as they saw the piles of packages for them.

We also have a gift wrapping room for items that were donated for gifts for individuals in need. To my knowledge, these gifts were distributed at the Christmas day celebration.

1) Wrapping room
2 & 3) Both pictures are in the room connected to the wrapping room; 1000's of wrapped presents.











































There is also a Toy Shop. Many people donated new toys for people who are on low or no incomes to come and pick up gifts for their children. There were some neat things in the shop!


On Christmas morning, all the guests on the emergency mats (both at the emergency winter shelter as well as the main Seed building) had a sock filled with basic necessities. I also heard that everyone got a backpack filled with items, although I'm not sure if that's true. All the education students received on, though, apparently.


I went to check out Christmas day celebrations for an hour or so. I have never seen so many people on the main floor (the area where meals are served). Apparently, 1500 Christmas dinners were served! The meal was served from 2 pm until 6 pm. The line up was up to the corner for most of those 4 hours. I saw the plates and they were FULL of food. Then again, FULL plates is an everyday thing. Staff and volunteers are not stingy about amounts of food served. A Santa was hired to greet the guests and be jolly. Each individual coming for the meal got gift tickets that they could take across the street to the building where my office is and go to the room where all these presents were located. It was neat for me to meet up with one of my friend's parents (from Manitoba) who were there to volunteer (sing, I think), as there was on-going entertainment for the guests.

I mustn't forget to mention the donations for staff and volunteers. Somebody donated a HUGE gingerbread house.



Also, while I was working at the front desk on the 24th, a donor brought a costume for a staff member to wear. Somehow, I was nominated the best-fitting person for the costume. Can you guess what it was??? See below for pictures.

As far as my Christmas celebrations (outside of work), I spent much of Christmas day with my co-worker and his family. They were a lot of fun, so, although I didn't really know people there, I had some good laughs. On the 26th, I went to Lena's, the lady I stayed with when I first got to Calgary. Good food all around.



What was I dressed as???

And, as this post is after Christmas, I'll wish you a

Happy New Year!!!