This week, Deltassist is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Deltassist is best known for the Christmas Toy Depot, collecting toys and food for the less fortunate in our community. For the month of December, dozens of volunteers accept, categorize and prepare to distribute toys and food hampers to make Christmas a little brighter for a struggling family, and to put a smile on a child's face. Last Christmas, 675 families received food, and toys were given to 765 children.
Once Christmas is over, many people still need help, and Deltassist is there. After the hampers and toys are handed out, they are the people that deliver many of the social programs the province promises us, as well as covering a wide range of community based services.
Deltassist arranges rides for seniors that have trouble getting to their appointments, or picks up a few groceries for them so they can live in their own home a little longer.
Deltassist gets the call from the school to counsel students when there has been a tragedy.
Deltassist helps the wife being abused find a safe place for her and her children, and helps the husband deal with his anger issues.
Deltassist helped the families in Ladner and North Delta a couple of years ago, the victims of apartment fires that left many with nothing once the initial government support ran out.
We don't like to hear about what Deltassist deals with every day, because it's rarely a good news story. We like to think Delta is immune to what we see on the news in Vancouver or Surrey or other communities.
Many of those things do happen here, more than we know. And for 40 years, Deltassist has done such a good job, many of us don't even know what it does to make life better for those that need a hand.
Behind the compassion that the Deltassist staff members exhibit is a group of dedicated people that look after some of the worst things that happen in our community. Not only do they deal with heartbreak and tragedy every day, they have to put it behind them and try to sleep at night, much like our police force and firefighters. It takes special people to put themselves in that position.
At Deltassist's annual general meeting tonight, Warren Hughes will step down as board chair for personal reasons. Hughes has been a member of the board for many years, leading the organization through a difficult time for nonprofit organizations. Hughes, like the other members of the board, gives his time, experience and expertise without recognition or fanfare, just a deep desire to make a difference in our community.
Many of us have been fortunate enough to not need Deltassist's help. It's like an insurance policy - you don't really think about it much, but it's good to know there's a place to turn to when you might need it most.
Congratulations, Deltassist, and thank you for 40 years of caring for our community.
(Deltassist was not called upon following the recent apartment fire in Tsawwassen. Those displaced were helped thanks to the generosity and support of the Century Group.)
