Good neighbours at Christmas

Another creative generosity story in our little town of Summerland

Sometimes it’s good to know that “Santa” is right next door, ready to deliver gifts to gladden the hearts of everyone, regardless of age or circumstance. Enter the Santa Gift Bag project.

Neighbourlink Summerland started the Project three years ago during COVID to reach out to seniors in our community who have few supports from family or friends during the Christmas season. COVID isolated these seniors even more as the guidelines for social interaction tightened.

Brandi McLauchlan, Neighbourlink office administrator spearheaded this initiative, reaching out to local businesses and individuals for donations for the gift bags. NLS was most fortunate to receive grant money in their second and third years from the Community Foundation of South Okanagan Similkameen (CFSOS).

The bags are filled with practical items such as warm socks, gloves, and crossword books, plus yummy holiday treats like oranges, chocolates, teas, ciders and cookies, and this year, mug rugs. The first year they delivered forty-seven bags; in each successive year numbers continued to grow—last year, seventy bags, and this year,100 bags. For many seniors in our community, this might be their only gift.

This year, Betty-Ann Xenis, Neighbourlink chairperson asked me (Kathie Gray) if I would like to help in constructing mug rugs to be tucked into the bag of goodies. Mug rugs are small, quilted “placemats” which are just big enough for a mug and a snack.

Each little mat takes at least one hour to make, so of course, making 100 …. Well, you do the math! We enlisted help from fellow quilters and crafters, Jan Carlson, Margie Sylvester, Linda Green, Leah Roney, and Sandy Hodson (from Okanagan Modern Quilt Guild) who also donated Christmas fabric scraps from her stash.

This group has been working steadily for the past six weeks to get these little gems finished in time for bag delivery day! Photographer Ken suggested that we arrange the rugs in the shape of a Christmas tree hence the images  included in this blog.

Once again, compassion leads to vision which leads or strategy and organization. With the support of many the mug rugs might become a local tradition—though possibly with other quilters. Well done everyone, and Happy Christmas to all.