SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

Stepping up for those in need

Here in the StarPhoenix sports department, much of what we do is seasonal: There’s football season (Huskies/Hilltops/Riders), Rush season, Blades season — and Sporting Christmas season.

That latter is a big highlight in these parts. We love the cause, the interaction with readers, and the feeling of knowing we’re helping others from the resources we’re blessed with.

Sporting Christmas exists for one reason: To help the Salvation Army with its Christmas hamper program. Everything we collect goes to them, which in turn goes to the most vulnerable families among us.

The community has been there with us right from Day 1, and we’re grateful for people like Kay McDonald, who donates “in memory of my husband Burns and sons Scott and Clark.

“I have a great fondness for this ongoing charity,” Kay adds. “Keep up the good work. My wish would be for everyone to be able to enjoy the Christmas season.”

An anonymous donor steps up in a big way for us in the early stages of each Sporting Christmas, and we thank them, as always, for a generous gift that will affect many lives.

Another long-familiar donor steps to the forefront for us once again.

“It’s time to make the McKillop Clan’s annual donation in memory of Ralph McKillop,” they write. “This year, the amount corresponds with Canada’s 150 years.”

The Riverside Optimist Club collects fines from its regular meetings during the year, and sends them our way “to help the community through Sporting Christmas.”

Many people use their Sporting Christmas donations as a way to remember loved ones: Today, in addition to those mentioned earlier, George and Anne Gabrielson, Arnie Stevenson, Edwin Hippe, Lloyd Weyland, and Art Guse, Murray Gibson and Peter Clark are all remembered fondly.