Clients who are part of the STARR program have a mission: they raise funds throughout the year to fill Christmas hampers for families in need at the Cridge Centre. The faces of the families when they receive their hampers could light up a thousand Christmas lights!!!

Penny and Kevin from the Society’s Discovery program learned that Buddy, a very special horse they have grown fond of at Mary’s Farm where they muck out and feed the animals, has a medical condition that requires hoof protection through the winter. They made and sold Christmas wreaths and raised enough to purchase special boots for Buddy in time for Christmas!

Garth Homer Society clients are actively engaged in their community every day, volunteering hundreds of hours with non-profit organizations, schools, the CRD and others. They raise money, they touch lives, they make a difference in so many ways….. and they are clearly thrilled to be doing it!

To get to their volunteer placements our clients often share Garth Homer Society vans, and that is where our clients are seeking your help. They need to replace an aging vehicle in the fleet, so that they can continue with their volunteer work in the community.

Our vehicles are used for much more than getting to and from a volunteer placement. For example, Community Access Team clients, Laurie, Tawnya, and Bailey use a vehicle to transport much needed items around Greater Victoria. They do their ‘bread run’ every week, collecting bread from a Westshore bakery and the Mustard Seed, and taking it to the YMCA to help families in need.

The clients take enormous pride in their work to help others. They make sure they arrive on time and fulfill their commitments. This is demonstrated by Laurie, Darrin and Donny who once a week go to Glendale Gardens, where they work on a reclamation and reforestation project. You may have visited the native garden which they created and nurture – if you haven’t, check it out!

In volunteering, the clients make friends with those they meet and work alongside. Laurie says, “I’ve learned things I didn’t know before. I like expanding my knowledge. I like the connections with people. Working at Glendale is one of the best days in my week.”

Whether it is helping in thrift stores, walking dogs, clearing trails for the CRD, going to seniors’ homes, assisting at daycares or at a street shelter kitchen, or conducting shopping programs for mum/toddler groups, Garth Homer Society clients are an important part of our community.

Our clients appreciate the support given to them by others, and in the same spirit reach out to help those in need. They share their skills and learn new ones. They help educate others about what those with developmental disabilities can do, and they help to bring people together by raising funds for causes in which they believe, from the Westshore to Sidney and everywhere in between. To do all this, they need transportation.

All those who have shared their stories with you here hope that you can help them, and other clients at the Garth Homer Society, to replace their vehicle. They need at least $15,000 to do this. Please send your donation today or donate online at Canada Helps.org.

The Garth Homer Society thanks you for your support and looks forward to seeing you in the community – in a new vehicle – in 2010! Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Kaye Kennish
Executive Director