A SEASON FOR SHARING
Chinese envoy praises fund
Last year, when Calgary Herald editor in chief Lorne Motley told me the Herald Christmas Fund was initiated by two reporters 27 years ago, I learned it was devoted to promoting social awareness and assistance to those in urgent need by supporting local social agencies. It was celebrating the highest amount of donations in recent years since the economic downturn, as well as being one of the most influential charity campaigns in Calgary. I asked what my office could do to make a contribution to the local charitable purposes, and Mr. Motley smiled and said, “let’s figure it out.”
It is not surprising at all that this well-functioned campaign blooms in Calgary, a community with a long history of generosity and caring. Back in 2008 when the heartbreaking Wenchuan earthquake took place in China, Calgarians from all communities provided help and support.
Charity is also about volunteerism and community sharing, which I have observed from the arrival of the pandas, Chinatown Festival, Calgary Stampede, GlobalFest, the Dragon Boat Festival and more. Assisted by the Calgary Zoo, the Chinese Consulate General donated a real-life panda bronze sculpture this August to be located outside the Panda Passage to memorialize the spirit of love and care of the city. Together with the local Chinese community, the Consulate helped to raise funds to enable children dealing with cancer to enjoy visiting the panda family.
As Christmas is again around the corner, I couldn’t help thinking of Charles Dickens’ words in A Christmas Carol. This holiday is not only about Christmas trees and feasts, but also about sharing and caring. At some point of everyone’s life, we are the recipient of others’ benevolence, yet we are also capable of making someone else’s day. When we lend a hand and convey kindness to others, we light up our own life in return. So it is also when we deal with relations among different countries.
Thanks to the Herald Christmas Fund, Calgarians have a platform to pass on sharing and caring, as this year’s recipient social agencies represent a broad focus, including mental health care, addiction and anti-family violence.
The name of Calgary originates from an Old Norse compound of “cold” and “garden.” This Christmas, it’s the right time for us to join hands and warm this garden up.