And just like that, the 28th Community Christmas Hamper Campaign (CCHC) has drawn to a close. Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who gave so much time to this initiative. This year, over 160 people volunteered a total of 407 hours, which must be a new record. Members of the organizing committee are included among these volunteers, but we must also thank the staff of Jeffery Hale Community Partners (JHCP) and Voice of English-speaking Québec (VEQ) who are invaluable to the success of the campaign. Other notable volunteers included Canada Post employees who gave their time on Dec. 16 to ensure that all hampers were safely delivered. Many individuals and families also came out on Delivery Day to help load and deliver hampers.

This past December was the first time since the pandemic that the committee decided to collect food again. We would like to thank all who donated non-perishable food items – especially the schools that challenged students to bring in specific items each week.

Since we must purchase many items for the hampers, several fundraisers were held again this year. These included VEQ and the Morrin Centre’s joint Holiday Happy Hour, which is always a success. VEQ also ran their “Oh, Deer!” Holiday Dares challenge again, and JHCP held “Ugly Christmas Sweater Tuesdays” at the Wellness Centre. Pictures of these initiatives are on the CCHC Facebook page. The RISE program sold Fun Jars Cookie Mix. There were jewelry sales and a spaghetti sauce cook- off at Saint Brigid’s Home, while CEGEP Champlain-St. Lawrence sold hydroponically grown lettuce and herbs as their contribution.

We also thank our invaluable corporate sponsors: Bo-Fruits, Canada Post, Construction Dinamo Inc., IGA Marché Pou- lin and Nutri-Œuf Ovale Eggs (Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon).

Every campaign has its challenges, and this year was no exception. The shutdown of the schools – including the Eastern Québec Learning Centre where the hampers are normally as- sembled – due to the strike in the public sector presented us with something to overcome. We pivoted quickly and moved everything to the Wellness Centre in the Jeffery Hale Pavilion. We extend a huge thank you to everyone who adapted to this last-minute change, allowing us to deliver goodness to some 250 households this year.

Another repercussion of the school closures was the postponement of the “Pound® for a Claus!” fundraising event organized by Vivian Yatabe. Don’t miss this dynamic Pound® drum-playing cardio workout that will be held Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. at Quebec High School. All proceeds go to the CCHC. To register, visit eventbrite.ca/e/801783846067.

In closing, thank you to each person who supports the CCHC with food or monetary donations or volunteer hours. You are all vital to the success of this heartwarming collective community initiative, and it is comforting to know that we can count on you every year.