An Evening of Thanks and Celebration

Our annual end of year celebration for all of the volunteers was held on Monday, June 20th. While we were eating pizza, we were able to watch a slide show of the changes that have evolved in the Wish Closet in the four years that it has been open. It was also a bit of a history lesson for the newer volunteers who had no idea about our humble beginnings.

As she does every year, Betty presented the volunteers with gifts that reflects the uniqueness of each person on her team.

First and foremost was Mrs Murray our wonderful principal and one of the major supporters and advocates for the Wish Closet. Here is what Betty had to say about her piece of pottery:

As the Principal you run the “ship” so I give you a pottery “boat”. This boat has experience in the grooves, some deeper than others and multi-coloured. Not very smooth on the inside but still very functional and smooth on the outside. You have allowed us to share in your boat, you supported us when the water was literally in our boat and when there were bumps along the way. I hope this pottery piece will hold fabulous memories of your time here at Major B & all of the people that you helped by simply supporting our efforts in the Wish Closet.

One of the main players in the Wish Closet team is our wonderful, flexible, super organized secretary, Mrs Comeau. Mrs Comeau takes on so many little tasks that no one ever sees - phone calls from clients, donations, finding assistants to help unload donations, acting as a buffer when things don't go according to plan. And she manages all of these tasks in stride - competently and without complaint. Here were Betty's words to her:

Your pottery this year is the biggest piece of my collection because you have to hold so many different aspects of life in this school for staff, students, visitors to the Wish Closet and community members dropping off donations. Your bowl has some sharp edges on the top just like some of the people you encounter and at the bottom look at how close the glaze was to going “over the edge” also symbolic of what can happen in a day at Major B. I decorated your piece on the inside by rolling wallpaper into the clay and I chose this beautiful colour blue as it is a stable colour---just like you represent stability for the school, the Wish Closet and for me several days a week.

Our custodian, Mayor Dowden, is another major player on the Wish Closet team. He is always there to lend a hand, listen to concerns, offer suggestions. He is a wonderful support to all of the volunteers each and every shift. In Betty's words:

I give to you a very functional piece of pottery that you can use that looks a little “exotic” but represents you and all of your history at Major B. The Mayor needs to relax so your handle has ridges to make sure you don’t lose your grip, all the patches represent all of the events you have witnessed in your time here and it is a golden brown colour because you Dave Dowden are loyal like brown and golden to all of us here with your big heart. Thank you from all of us for all you do to help us make a difference.

Similarly, Cathy, our new custodian has taken on the challenge of the Wish Closet and has taken this role on without complaint and by offering support and assistance with a very cheerful demeanour. Cathy, welcome to Major B, welcome to the Wish Closet and thank you so much for your support. Here is what Betty had to say about Cathy's piece of pottery:

You are the proud new owner of a square bowl that is functional and unusual….just like your time since you joined Major B. Look at the inside of your bowl with the bumps inside at the bottom, you can feel them just like some of the people feel when they enter the Wish Closet hoping to find items that can remove the bumps and challenges that they may be facing in their lives. Thanks for your support this year Cathy.

Each and every volunteer on the Wish Closet team receive a unique gift reflective of their individuality and the gifts that they each bring to the team. Betty's words were generous and heartfelt. As always, it was a wonderful night of celebrating the success of the Wish Closet and everyone's contribution  to that success.