The Elim Connection, December 2022

It’s that time of year when we give and receive.
There are presents beautifully wrapped, ready under
the tree for eager recipients. At Christmas, it’s fair
to say there’s an expectancy of reciprocity (even if
unconscious); spouses gift presents to one another,
children to parents and vice versa. Maybe you’re like
my family, who’s opted to pull names from a hat. I may
not know who pulled my name, but I know at least one
of the gifts under the tree has my name on it.
THE BLESSING
OF GIVING
WRITTEN BY
KATRINA LAROY,
STAFF CONTRIBUTOR
Have you ever received a gift that you weren’t
expecting? It’s not Christmas, or your birthday; maybe
the gift comes mid-year, on just another Thursday. It’s
freely given, without anything expected in return.
At ELIM, there’s an incredible current of giving—of
selfless giving—that flows year-round. People gift their
time, money, and talents. Some gifts are of material
goods, much like a present, and we do a lot of this
kind of giving as an organization. For example, did you
know that once our office laptops have completed
their life cycle, we donate them to our technology
partner, Scout, who refurbishes and transports them
to Guatemala? These laptops enable schoolchildren
to learn valuable skills, improving their career
opportunities and altering the outlook of their lives.
Did you know that medical mattresses have been sent
overseas to Nigeria? Infection control measures are
strict in Canadian long-term care settings, and even
a small tear can compromise the safety of vulnerable
residents. With proper mending, however, these Full
Care mattresses are still very valuable. Nigeria has
also been the recipient country of nursing supplies,
wheelchairs, and walkers.
Then there’s our appliances. These also have a predetermined
life cycle within our suites. The easy thing
to do would be to haul them to a scrap yard after their
lifespan; it takes time and effort to coordinate a more
intentional drop-off to recipients in need. Habitat for
Humanity and farmers in the Sumas Prairie whose
homes were destroyed by flooding are just some of
the recipients of our appliances—no strings attached.
The list goes on. Updates to our buildings provide an
Guatemalans also enjoy donations
of resident-knitted blankets!
opportunity to donate furniture. Local care homes
have benefitted from these gifts, including the several
dozen tables and chairs donated from The Emerald
Assisted Living a few years ago. These examples only
just barely dip into the current of giving happening all
around, all year long; I haven’t even mentioned the
selfless giving of time, talents, and money; let’s now
turn to that.
There are so many events in our villages that seek to
benefit others; events spearheaded or supported by
residents. You’ll recall the wonderful report on the
Estate & Garage Sale that gifted 30% of proceeds
to Ukraine refugees. More recently, the Artisan
Christmas Market held in Fleetwood had several
vendor tables benefitting charities. At the end of
November, The Emerald held its own market, where
all proceeds were donated to the Surrey Foodbank.
Residents worked for months knitting, sewing, making
soaps, baking, and using their talents to give back.
Then there are the many, many residents who gift
their time. There are countless volunteers in our
midst, both those who volunteer within our villages
and those who volunteer elsewhere: Gleaners, Prison
Ministry, Thrift Stores. The list is lengthy of those
freely giving of their time to benefit their communities.
Resident Ken Barkman rides his bike to raise
money for the BC Children's Hospital
One extraordinary example of this is resident Ken
Barkman, who lives at Elim Village Garrison Crossing.
Ken has a goal to raise $25,000 for the BC Children’s
Hospital Foundation by year’s end. He’s combined
his love of cycling with his desire to give back to
a cause close to his heart. With four adopted
grandsons who, over the years, have required the
incredible care and support provided by this hospital,
he decided to use his time and energy to make a
difference. So far this year he’s ridden 3,645km to
help raise funds. He plans to continue to cycle and
fundraise as long as physically able, with an ultimate
goal of raising $100,000.
It's incredible. This river of selfless giving flows wide
and deep. And although there’s no thank-you gift
under the tree with their name on it, I suspect many
in our villages have personal life experience that, “it
is more blessed to give than to receive.” What is
the blessing that comes? Very likely joy; a sense of
purpose and meaning. And the quiet fulfillment that
comes from acts of giving, done unto others, but
also unto God.
Do you have (or know) of a story that exemplifies
the blessedness of giving? Please get in touch – I’d
love to hear it.
14 THE ELIM CONNECTION WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022 THE ELIM CONNECTION 15