We live in such an affluent region in an affluent country.
Those who have big houses, nice cars, holiday homes in the south and money for all they wish to do should not be ashamed. For the most part, this wealth was produced by hard work over many years. And perhaps a little luck and good timing along the way.
Some people have little or no luck. Or the only luck they have is bad, to go with their timing. Some can't work for legitimate reasons, be it health or childcare related.
Yes, we have all seen the people who can work, could improve their lot in life, but do not, preferring to live off the state. These people — the Island has more of them than most places in B.C. — have a misguided sense of entitlement. They figure the world owes them for some reason, and won't get out of bed for less than $15/hour.
It's tough to dig into your pockets to help those slackers at Christmas, we get that. Thing is, many of them have children who deserve some magic of the season while they are still young and innocent. They never got to choose their parents.
We are willing to guess many, if not all of the people who register with the Society of Organized Services are not of the slacker variety. They are single moms or dads, many of which work at one, two or three jobs in an attempt to make ends meet in a region with low wages for those who don't have extensive education or training. Think about trying to keep a family home operating — rent and utilities eating more than $1,200/month — when you take home roughly $1,200/month.
Scraping up enough food to feed your brood every month is next to impossible. Christmas presents and Christmas dinner? Not likely.
Enter the SOS and the kind people of Parksville Qualicum Beach. It is a good time for those who have wealth — be it through hard work, fortune, good timing or a combination of all — to share that wealth so hard-working families and their children can enjoy some kind of magic, some food and fun to make thing season a little special, something different and better than the usual hand-to-mouth grind.
The SOS has not reached its fundraising goal. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to PO Box 898, 245 West Hirst Ave, Parksville, V9P 2G9 or online: www.sosd69.com.
— Editorial by John Harding