Christmas Spirit is alive at Mary Centre

The Advent season brings out the best in people. That notion was reinforced last week when I heard from a friend at Mary Centre, a ShareLife agency.
One of the volunteers at Mary Centre is a refugee claimant to Canada, with two children (9 and 2) here and two older children staying back in her country of origin. She takes classes during the day to upgrade her education, takes care of her two children, and commits time as a "friendly visitor" with one of the older residents at Mary Centre.
"She is so happy to be giving her time to this lady, and they hit it off like two old friends from the start," said my friend. She is spending quality time with the lady, doing activities in the community with her. It brings a new dimension to the older woman's life, as staff resources limit extended contact with the residents.
This, however, is just the start of the story. As is often the case, those who give are themselves in need, making the gift that much more significant. This is the case for the Mary Centre volunteer. While she is making time to volunteer, her own resources are spread quite thin. The staff at Mary Centre gained a sense of her situation a few months ago and this is where the tale of Christmas charity takes another turn.
The senior staff got together earlier this month to organize a gift for their volunteer, giving her help with some groceries and money to buy gifts for her kids - gifts she otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford this year. This charitable gesture will make a huge difference in her home, lightening the weight of financial stress and reinforcing the fact that we're part of a larger community - a community that's at its best when charity and neighbourly love are liberally practiced!
If you've any of your own touching stories of WONDERS being worked at ShareLife agencies, send them my way. I'd love to spread the good news!