Special to the Sydenham Current
The Gift is back for the third year with more unity than ever.
On November 19, 2022 at 12 p.m., people all over Chatham-Kent are invited to put a gift on their doorstep, volunteers in their community will pick it up and share joy this holiday season.
The Gift is run by the community, for the community.
Experienced Gift community captains and fresh faces alike have stepped up to take The Gift to the next stage.
The Gift Dance takes centre stage as ready to sweep the CK landscape.
On top of the individual Community Gift Dance moves is the revitalized Gift Sign Paint Shop at the Community Shop and so much more.
Many have talked about raising more than world records.
Many have asked how Chatham-Kent pulled off the most participated event in its history during COVID.
Thousands of volunteers, millions of dollars in goods raised, tens of thousands of donors.
Yet, most Chatham-Kent citizens just keep focusing on what they do best, helping each other.
“I was in very dark spot in my life. At this time last year, I was in the municipal housing shelter
for six months with my three boys,” said Shay Marchand.
“I said yes to going to paint Gift signs one day with a friend. This sparked a turning point in my life. I started going every day and slowly build my confidence back up being in this wholesome environment. It brought the best of me back out. I soon was back in stable house with my boys and have grown into a strong leader doing things I never would have imagined with The Community Shop. I’ve went from depressed, lost and homeless to now I’m the main depot and distribution captain for South Chatham. Located in the old Sears area of The Down Town Chatham Centre. I think so many of me out there that can benefit by getting involved and shinning their gift their way. That drives me.”
The Gift Marketing lead Madison Hetherington says she feels The Gift shows who we are, what CK can do.
“We come together and fill the need,” Hetherington said.
“It’s why I want to live here, and I think so many others would too if they understood how special it is here. What we’ve all done with the Gift over the last two years proves it to us and the world.”
Gift Dance lead Greg Simpson, Ascension Dance Co-Owner and St Andrew’s Pastor says with The Gift, Chatham-Kent has shown what giving can do for all of us when it’s done in its purest form.
“That’s why I have become more involved every year. This year I’m thrilled to organize The Gift dance, what better way to come together ever more than to move together. Every community has its own simple, inclusive dance move. Record anyone, anyway, anywhere in your community with your designated Gift move, post it or send it my way to put it in the compilations”.
To view your community’s dance move and submit recordings visit thegiftck.ca.
“I’ve grown very fond of The Gift,” said Pam Fulton, ComeTogetherCK Board of Director, Walpole Island First Nation.
“It’s fulfilling to work beside each other as equals in the powerful gift of giving. It is the kind of thing we’ve been working on to heal and to move forward. In The Gift, people are reached in ways not reached before. I’m looking forward to seeing what we do this year. You get that feeling of just pure giving, that people are just there to help each other.”
Dakota Hodgson, The Gift Project Manager, says she’s been involved from the start, and like so many, she just keeps getting more deeply involved.
“I’ve taken on the major role of project management for all Chatham-Kent this year because I feel like this is the kind of thing people want – grassroots, forward thinking, inclusive,” she said.
“I’ve been working hard to bring more organization that will allow communities to help each other ever more.”
Sherry Carter, Rain & Shine Behavioural Counselling, says for decades she’s worked on the ground floor with the most vulnerable in the community.
“I go out to the motels and under the bridges,” she said.
“I’ve never been able to help so many in this population and in such a dignified way as I have with The Gift. That’s why I’m so passionate about it. We have learned so much, I think we can find even more people this year.”
Brent Wilken, ComeTogetherCK Executive Director, says he’s continually humbled to be part of Chatham-Kent finding so many more people in The Gift.
Anyone wanting to be a part of this event can register at thegiftck.ca.
The Gift Central is open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Community Shop in The Old Sears Receiving Area at The Down Town Chatham Centre.
Just pop or reach out to The Gift to inquire.
The Gift belongs to us all.
A Gift is inside us all.
