Nine local volunteers are proving that Christmas is about community with their annual Uncle Arthur’s Christmas Party.
The party, held for anyone who wants to attend, takes place Christmas Day.
“As a social worker, I am aware that there is an increase to the number of calls to distress centres at this time of year,” said Mary Crome, who spearheads the annual get-together.
“And I also know that research shows that a protective factor against loneliness and against depression, against suicide, is having a place of family to celebrate the holiday.
“I wanted to create that place … for people to come and celebrate Christmas.”
For the last six years, Crome and her volunteers have hosted the Christmas party, which includes tree decorating, gift giving, supper and entertainment. The last two years were held in Arthur.
This year, the group is moving to the Arthur Legion, an accessible building.
“We do it right on Christmas Day, because that is the day people need to have that place of family,” said Crome.
Everyone who attends is a volunteer, contributing with decorating, cooking, entertaining and more.
“That’s really important to us, because when there is a giver and a receiver, it feels really good to be the giver,” said Crome.
At 1pm, the doors open for decorating and wrapping gifts. Crafts and activities are available for children. Volunteers start cooking the dinner, served family-style, at 5:30pm.
There are even volunteers who come in just to engage with others.
“That is perhaps the most important job of all, because … that one conversation might be the only conversation that person has in a day,” said Crome.
After dinner, attendees can participate in music and stories.
Crome said she saves up to fund the event each year and there are donors who help out.
“It was something that felt important for me to do; it was part of my faith,” explained Crome, who said there is a need for it in the community.
The group stresses that anyone can come to the event, free of charge.
“This is the beauty of it; everybody gets included, we are not targeting a specific base, we are not targeting a specific income,” said volunteer Gwen Bultena.
“This is where the entire community gets to come together and be a community all on the same level.
Volunteer effort
“Everybody is a volunteer, everybody is important. We are not doing this just to outreach to certain people.”
About 100 people participated last year, and Crome and Bultena would like to see more people come out.
“There are so many reasons why somebody might need a place to be on Christmas Day and we want to be the place. Regardless of the need, we want to be the place,” said Crome.
Attendance includes dinner, a gift and entertainment.
Crome said there is a need for volunteers and also a need for gifts for adults.
“People do not have to register but it helps if they do, especially if they have kids, so I can be sure Santa knows to drop off an appropriate toy,” she said.
For more information contact Crome at 519-321-1924 or unclearthurchristmas@gmail.com.
