GIVING GOES A LONG WAY
Holiday season an especially busy time for delivering hope to thousands of families across Canada
This holiday season Bernadette Diamond is celebrating with pure joy. The single mother of 10 has finally been reunited with all her children, and with the help of The Salvation Army, it’s going to be the best Christmas ever.
Sadly, for the past six years, Diamond has spent Christmas with only three of her children but this year Christmas came early — the family was recently reconnected in her Oshawa home and “Christmas will be heaven just to have us all together!”
Diamond, 45, came to Canada from the Grenadine Islands in 2010 to find a better life and provide a prosperous future for her children, but it has been a struggle. Although faced with loneliness and isolation, and trying to put food on the table, she turned to The Salvation Army to give of her time by volunteering and in return, she received amazing support and care, and this Christmas is no exception.
“Thanks to The Salvation Army there will be a food hamper and toys for the kids, they’re going to be so excited,” says Diamond, whose children range in age from four to 27. “I am so very grateful to The Salvation Army for their encouragement and help. Without them, I would not have been able to overcome the pain and hardships that I have faced and to get on my feet to get my children here.”
The family lives in a small three-bedroom home with one bathroom and is hoping to move to a five-bedroom house in the New Year. It’s so cramped that her 21-year-old daughter sleeps on a recliner in the living room. Diamond sleeps in one of the bedrooms with her three youngest children, but she is grateful for her new life and opportunities. “Building a life here has come with a lot of pain, and things are not easy but I trust in God and knew he would open doors,” she says.
While the holiday season is meant to be a happy time, the Diamonds are not the only family living on so little while trying to create big happy holiday memories. Many families turn to The Salvation Army throughout the year, but the holiday season is an especially busy time for delivering hope and kindness to thousands of families across Canada. Last Christmas, 266,000 people received food hampers and toys, and families in need can still apply for assistance at SalvationArmy.ca.
Diamond is counting her blessings, especially for the sense of belonging and community that The Salvation Army has provided. They’ve become a second family, she says, providing her with unwavering support, food assistance every month, as well as counselling services to help her heal and thrive after leaving an abusive relationship.
She looks forward to her children adjusting to Canada, getting a good education and giving back to the community. That’s exactly what Diamond has done and, in the process, she’s become a great role model, working hard to put everything into place to finally reunite with her children.
With guidance from The Salvation Army, Diamond went to college and became a personal support worker. She also earned a development services worker diploma and is currently employed parttime in home care. She hopes to someday work as a community development worker in a shelter.
Right now she is busy volunteering as a kettle worker to collect donations for The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Campaign, which runs through to December 23 — the goal is $21 million. Funds are used to assist people living in poverty; last year, 1,326,000 persons were assisted with food, clothing or practical assistance across Canada.
“Helping others gets my mind off my own troubles,” says Diamond, adding that “life is not about getting, but it’s about giving back in any way you can. That’s what I teach my children.”
For those who want to donate online to a Christmas kettle, donors can visit SalvationArmy.ca, FilltheKettle.com or give through their mobile devices using The Salvation Army Kettle App. Developed with the Royal Bank of Canada, The Salvation Army Kettle App can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Donations can also be made by texting HOPE to 45678.
IN THE MEANTIME, THERE IS STILL TIME TO HELP THE SALVATION ARMY ASSIST THOSE IN NEED:
• Volunteer at a Salvation Army Christmas kettle. hamper program or Christmas meal. •Knit socks or mitts to add warmth to someone's Christmas hamper. •Donate a new toy to your local Salvation Army. •Buy extra groceries for the local food bank. •Toss your spare change into a Salvation Army red kettle. •Contact your local Salvation Army to sponsor a family or Christmas hamper. •Visit SalvationArmy.ca.