There are so many things to hate about 2020.
A pandemic, the Paradise Valley wildfire, housefires in town, the gondola getting sabotaged again, the George Floyd killing, the global and local economies taking a punch to the face, the proliferation of conspiracy theories — I could go on forever.
So many things.
But as the year draws to a close, there are some happy moments.
One of my favourite moments is driving down Depot Road and passing by a house that has a big drive-thru sign on it.
Why would someone encourage complete strangers to into their property?
Because that person wants to spread some nice Christmas cheer.
Paw patrol, Disney characters, and, of course, all of the familiar faces from the North Pole are present to give passersby a lift in their spirits. The house is completely decked out in a spectacular light show. It’s probably the most impressive display I’ve seen in a while.
The electric bill must cost a fortune, and it must take weeks to set up — but the whole show is on display for the grand price of free.
I know it’s probably not the greatest thing for the environment, but jeez, we could all use a small lift every now and then.
That’s not the only cheerful thing happening this holiday season.
Against all odds, Christmas Care went ahead.
It’s hard to imagine an operation like that getting off the ground in the middle of the pandemic, but this is precisely when it’s most needed.
Many families are feeling the economic crunch and a care package filled with essentials can make a huge difference.
While putting together an operation like this will be very different, one organizer Rev. Karen Millard told The Chief previously that adjustments will be made to make things COVID-safe. That includes encouraging donations via gift cards and cash, as opposed to sending in the majority of items like years past. Volunteers can then buy the food or whatever a priority for those in need.
Finally, one last example.
A group of locals rolled up their sleeves and participated in a clean-up and decoration session.
On Sunday, volunteers showed their support for vulnerable residents in the municipal campground.
Whether or not that campground should stay open is a political question for another time, but I think it’s just nice to see folks lending a hand to each other.
Volunteers provided food, beverages, and landscaping services. Some threw on some Christmas lights and others helped rake up the thousands of leaves scattered throughout the area.
Yes, there are so many things to hate about 2020. But every now and then, there are a few things to love.
