Giving The Gift Of Hope
It’s that time of year again.
The time of year to practice peace, love, and good will toward all men. (Luke 2:14) The time of year to honour the life and resurrection of Christ who, while in his earthly ministry “went about doing good”. (Acts 10:38). In the christian world view charity is defined as the pure love of Christ. Both the Saviour’s life and death is our divine example of this kind of love. It is this divine gift that inspires the awe we feel in this season.
For over a year, SKIP has been busy serving the vulnerable older adults of our community by offering them the “Buzz Me” program. Our mission was simple; to give the gift of hope through phone calls to those who felt lonely, isolated or forgotten. Developed by SKIP as a response to the pandemic, this service was designed to be inclusive, safe, friendly and fun. For seniors lacking digital skills or interest in virtual programs, Buzz Me offered an option for social engagement through friendly conversations
The success of this program was measured not in the quantity of calls but in the quality of the connections that were made. At the heart of these connections was hope. Hope for the next call connection, hope that the future would be brighter and hope that we could get through trying times together. We discovered that hope is the antidote to many ailments suffered by the human heart and mind. We learned that it is through hope, loneliness could be lessened. This was the gift that we gave to our callers and the gift they gave to us.
This holiday season, SKIP in partnership with the Retired Teachers of Ontario will be giving the gift of stuffed bears that promote this call program to seniors who need it most. Those who are isolated from friends and family this holiday season. For them loneliness is a battle fought in silence. Our holiday wish is that there will be a voice on the other end of the line whenever they need it. We look forward to serving them as the Saviour would, and to remind them that no one is forgotten.
After the holiday, the Buzz Me program will come to an end. It has been a honour to be the voice at the other end of the line for many. As the program winds down, SKIP has been engaged in the work of partnering with larger organizations to ensure that programs like Buzz Me will continue to exist. We are proud to report that advocating for call assurance programs for Brantford residents has been successful. Our gift this year was the knowledge that those who need a voice on the line, won’t be left without one.
In the hustle and bustle of the stress this time of year can bring, we remind you to take just a moment and connect with friends and loved ones who need to hear from you. You will be amazed at the difference it can make in someone’s life to feel a genuine connection. If the past year and a half have taught us anything it’s that reaching out to loved ones has positive impacts on both sides of the line. We would encourage you to pick up the phone and be uplifted by lifting up someone else. That is true charity, and isn’t that what it's all about?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Friends.