Christmas time means many things to many people. For many, Christmas is primarily a religious holiday. For others, it’s a time to bring out the credit cards and shop till they drop.
For merchants, it’s often the time of year when the balance sheet turns from red to black.
There’s a side to Christmas, however, that doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves, but is vitally important in smaller communities like Osoyoos.
We refer to those who use the spirit of Christmas to rally in support of those who are less fortunate. Osoyoos has a shining example of this charitable side of Christmas, when the community comes together to help those in need.
The Herle family – Wendy, Wilfred and their daughter Tammy – once again organized the Smitty’s Restaurant Toys for Tots to Teens fundraiser.
It was again a great success and inspiration to all of us.
It also showed what a caring and giving community the Town of Osoyoos really is.
This is the 18th year the Herle family has organized this event, having started it when they owned the Husky Truck Stop in Osoyoos and continuing it when they took over Smitty’s Family Restaurant in 2006.
The family provides a free breakfast to customers who donate a toy or make a cash donation.
This year, they served 229 free breakfasts in all and took in numerous toys and cash donations exceeding $2,000. These are donated in turn to families in need to help them celebrate Christmas.
While the Herle family deserves credit for starting and maintaining this tradition for almost two decades, others in the community deserve recognition too.
The Osoyoos Kiwanis Club plays a major role by distributing and purchasing toys.
Restaurant staff deserve acknowledgement for their hard work, although the day is as much fun as it is hectic.
This year’s event also included a performance by The Corner Turtles band from Keremeos, who waived all fees other than breakfast.
None of this would have been possible without the hundreds of people from the community who came by to enjoy breakfast and contribute cash or toys.
The Smitty’s Family Restaurant Toys for Tots to Teens fundraiser touches on many aspects of the Christmas tradition.
It is, above all, a way to bring the community together for the greater good of helping those less fortunate. It’s also an example of how a family-owned business can generate goodwill in the community, while raising its profile in a positive way. Well done, Herle family. Well done, Osoyoos.