Katie Amos still remembers her first experience with the Share the Spirit campaign.
“It was incredible. I walked into our living room and saw all these gifts piled up, they were everywhere and they were all going to needy families in the community,” she said. Share the Spirit provides assistance to needy families with children in Oliver during the holiday season. Applications are provided to the Share the Spirit coordinators by Desert Sun Counselling, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Boys and Girls Club of Oliver.
Sponsors, which can be businesses, individuals or families, are given a form with details of the recipient family’s composition, ages and wish list. The sponsors are asked to purchase the items, which Amos said are typically food, blankets, winter clothes, baby items and small toys, and bring them to Interior Savings Credit Union during business hours by December 17 so that they may be delivered to the recipient families before Christmas. Both the sponsor and recipient are kept anonymous. Amos’s mother Karen, a local realtor, founded the program in 2001 and the Kiwanis Club of Oliver took it over in 2004.
“My mom was doing really well in real estate and wanted to give back and even as a teenager, seeing how hard she was working to help other people made me realize how important Share the Spirit is.”
Amos was so inspired by her mother’s dedication that even after the campaign changed hands she remained heavily involved. Amos now sits on the Kiwanis Club’s committee and is one of it’s most enthusiastic advocates. “I just feel like this community has given me so much. I really needed to give back.”
June Reynolds recently joined the Share the Spirit committee after joining the Kiwanis Club earlier this year. She said she felt compelled to join after sponsoring during last year’s campaign. “It makes you feel good,” she said. “It’s just a really worthwhile project and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Beverly Adamack has been involved with STS for two years, and echoed Reynolds’ sentiment.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to help out, and we definitely could use some extra help.” Adamack said the committee is in need of drivers to help deliver the packages and of course, sponsors. She noted the number of families that received assistance from the program is contingent on the number of sponsors they get.
“We had 48 families and 40 sponsors last year, we want to help as many as we can, but we can’t do it alone.”
To sponsor or recommend a family in need, or to volunteer contact Beverly Adamack at 250-485-0154. If you wish to make a donation, cheques can be made payable to Share the Spirit and dropped off at Amos Realty.
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
