I have to say "goodbye" to 2011 and "hello and how are ya" to 2012. Most of us take this time to reflect and assess how we did over the last year, what successes we had, where we can make improvements and just solidify our happy memories for the year. I believe we do this as an organization as well. I would like to share some of our fondest and least fond memories from 2011.
One day here at the club a child who just turned seven years old came into my office. It was immediately after school and he needed to speak with me. It was hard to take this child seriously as he sat in the chair across from my desk, Koolaid stained face, dirty hands and his hat on backwards; but this boy was on a mission. He claimed to be thinking about this all day and had a real proposition for me. He was very serious and said, "I have been thinking hard all day and this is what I want to offer you." "OK," I said, "what do you want?"
" I would like to take home a couple of Wii games to play and I will bring them back whenever you tell me and if I do I could get a prize for following the rules."
I laughed a little and suggested he could follow the rules without the games and get to stay here at the club. He then stood up, put his hand out for a hand shake and said, "OK. Deal".
Another day we were serving our supper program and the restaurant that was supplying the food is a favourite of the children. I had gone to pick it up and being the supper hour it was busy so I was delayed for a short time. When I finally got back to the club I came in carrying a large box of food. None of the children could tell what the food was or where it came from but one little guy came running up to me, standing on his tip toes sniffing the air around the box. He then shouts, " ooooooh I think I smell something good!" When we opened the box and took out the food he began to jump around shouting " I did, I did smell something good!" The enthusiasm was contagious and soon even staff was excited about supper that day.
During the first week of September I had a mother come and ask if we had any school supplies to help her with her four children. She has children ages 6, 8, 10 and 14. This year was the first year ever she couldn't manage to scrounge up enough binders and pencils for her kids. Feeling low and broken she came into my office crying not knowing what to do for her kids. She was not a person who looks for hand outs, but never had a year been so hard financially and her boyfriend and step-father to her kids left.
I asked if school supplies were all she needed. She said yes, she was managing everything else but the initial cost of school was too much. I asked if she could bring her kids back to the club after school and we would see what we could do for her.
We had received some donations just a couple of days before of binders, paper, pens, crayons and even clothes. Also we had some small backpacks that were a promotional item we had received from the Boys and Girls Club of Canada. We created a package for all of them. Not nearly all the supplies they needed for school but enough to get them started.
The 14-year-old boy looked at me and said he never owned a binder that hadn't been used before. He was going to keep this one clean for the whole year. The mom cried but mostly showed excitement for them. She thanked us and said never has she felt so good about who her children are spending their time with. Our staff and club has become a "real" safe place for them.
All of these are feel good memories, all of our parties for occasions, outings and new faces can make just about anyone feel good. We also experienced a number of not so good occasions, watching children be removed from their homes and the only life they know. Having those children call the club from their new homes to talk to anyone who is willing just so they can hear a familiar voice. At our Christmas party we had two children cry because they had to leave and this was the only Christmas they would have.
All of these emotions and memories will make you think, "are we doing enough? How much more can we do?" I guess with 2012 upon us we all have to make that extra effort to make every place a good place to be.
