Every year we get a little concerned that the Grinch might win and steal the season of giving – and by giving we don’t mean mp3 players to all the young people in our life, we mean giving of one’s time and resources to help others during a time of year that for many can be quite stressful.

Then, always around the beginning of December, something quite magical happens in our communities. From Emsdale and Burk’s Falls to the Oxtongue Lake area, Algonquin Highlands and Huntsville, emergency sirens flood our streets and an army of cadets, firefighters, police, ambulance, church groups, service clubs and scores of other volunteers descend on our neighbourhoods. They begin the process of collectively gathering and sorting food from those willing to open their pantries and spread a little joy to make the plight of others a little more bearable.

Imagine the work that goes into the collection of more than 27 tons of food. What is collected will be used not only to ensure that needy families can share a special meal together at Christmas, but to stock the food bank through the year.

The annual Salvation Army food drive has been a tradition in this community for the past 19 years, assistant fire chief Terry Joiner tells us. He’s got the history, having been on board every food drive since the tradition started with former fire chief Ross Payne. It started at the old fire hall behind town hall with about two dozen firefighters and three fire trucks. It just snowballed from there.

The word began to spread and eventually all areas serviced by the Salvation Army food bank joined in the annual event and began their own collections, comforted by the knowledge that the food ends up being redistributed to the most vulnerable in their community.

When firefighters, police and ambulance go out on a call they never know what to expect.

If a fire has devastated a family’s home and their belongings, firefighters know that once their job on the scene is done, they can call the Salvation Army to lend the family a hand.

“It is such a huge relief because you see the devastation. . . and you think, ‘What are we going to do?’ Well, here’s somebody that can help you get you started again,” said Joiner.

So, to all the food donors and the volunteers who give of their time and work hard behind the scenes to help others, we say a big thank you. Thank you for providing a caring safety net and thank you for rekindling the true spirit of the season.

T.d.V.