Upbeat volunteer ready with a story
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services distributes Christmas food hampers
Gord Caithness and his little dog Suzy are a familiar sight at Agassiz-Harrison Community Services.
“He volunteers here, and he’s also a client,” says Jen Sibley, event co-ordinator at the organization, which distributes Christmas food hampers and runs the food bank in Agassiz.
“He’s always around the building, making sure he stops at everyone’s office. He does a little bit of handy work around here, keeping the building upright, and he also works in the food bank,” Sibley says of the 55-yearold former construction worker.
“He’s cheery, always upbeat, he’s one of the team, one of the family here. He always has a story to tell you.”
Caithness, who is on a disability pension after a lifetime of physical work and hard living left him with a permanently damaged back, is among many single men in the Agassiz area who rely on community services, Sibley says. The agency is one of the community organizations supported by The Province’s Empty Stocking Fund.
“It’s surprising — we do have a few larger families, but the majority (of clients) are single men.”
Those men can lead lonely and isolated lives.
For his part, Caithness says he counts on miniature Pinscher Suzy, and his volunteer work to get him out of his townhouse.
“I hand out hampers once a week,” he says. “I don’t go all the time, but I’m only a phone call away. I do small things for them, putting tables or desks together, easy stuff. I help out the best I can, I find it hard to say no to them.”
The Winnipeg-born former carpenter said relying on help from the food bank was new to him after a lifetime of well-paying construction jobs. He started in the trade in his hometown before moving to the Fraser Valley in 1990.
“I used to do concrete work. Always rose up through the ranks.”
The work was physically demanding, and resulted in several workplace injuries that ultimately left him with three herniated discs.
“I’d get up, brush it off, go back to work,” Caithness says. “I’m a small guy, and I had to work like the big guys, or I wouldn’t have a job.”
He candidly admits that the good paycheques made it easy to finance a drug and alcohol habit that lost him a lot of friends, and eventually had him living on the streets. Those days finally ended with a stint in detox three years ago, and he’s been clean ever since.
“It straightened my life around, I’m very grateful for that place.”
He’s also grateful for 15-year-old Suzy, who’s been with him for two years, after a doctor’s note got her approved to live as a therapy dog in his no-pets townhouse complex.
“I have someone to talk to, she gets me out,” he says. “Otherwise I’d sit at home, stare at the walls, and that’s no good for me.”
On Christmas Day, Caithness says, he’ll be at home with his dog.
His favourite thing about the Christmas hamper?
“The turkey, for sure. You get the whole bird. I’m eating it for a couple of days anyway, between me and my puppy,” he says. “They’ll also have some socks, jut a small gift, some canned food and dry stuff.”
Sibley says her group will hand out about 140 food hampers this Christmas, as well as hosting an event for children.
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of corporate sponsors, local business and community supporters, and, of course, Province readers, The Empty Stocking Fund raised more than $300,000 last year.
That money was distributed to 27 community agencies across B.C. to help buy gifts and food hampers for those in need. Funds are administered through The Province’s partner, United Way of the Lower Mainland. The Province pays all the administration costs so 100 per cent of the funds raised goes to those who need help.