Blueridge Cares 2025

Written by Carolann and Cris Fraenkel

Blueridge really does care. The outpouring of support from this community constantly brings a smile to our faces. We personally had people we met walking on the trails stop by with homemade chocolates, neighbours deliver cookies and other treats, and people who just stopped in to say hello while they were on the trail nearby. Hopefully you, our Blueridge neighbours, had a similar holiday.

The generosity and kindness of our neighbourhood constantly make us smile. We had over 30 gifts purchased, wrapped, tagged and delivered to Blueridge families, along with grocery gift cards and other little goodies to help make the holidays bright. We managed to deliver grocery gift cards at the start of December to ease the stress of the upcoming holidays and another set of cards with the gift deliveries. For the first time, we had people who were only asking for help with groceries. The Blueridge community came through with flying colours. Those who couldn’t buy or donate came through with offers to wrap, visit, deliver, and shop.

We are happy to report that we were able to make the holidays brighter for 5 families this year through your generosity and donations from both neighbours and local businesses to Blueridge Cares. Some comments from those we helped out:

“The Christmas hamper you all came together and generously donated came as a beautiful reminder of the compassion that exists around me. It not only brightened our holiday season but also gave us a sense of belonging and warmth that is so deeply appreciated.”

“This is exactly what we needed.”

“Thank you for the grocery gift card, it really helped my kids while I was in the hospital.”

There is a team of people who make this possible, and we would like to thank each and every one of you. You make us proud to live where we do. There are also a lot of people who specifically asked not to have their names mentioned, who get special invisible hugs from us as well.

Thanks to:

  • Angela Remocker
  • Anthony Slowey
  • Bernie Jones & Loretta Wilson
  • Berry Family/Wildwood
  • Children’s Centre
  • Catherine Ann Rickey
  • Cathy Brydon
  • Cheryl Sauve
  • Debbie Milne
  • Denisa Orlandea
  • Elizabeth Stokes
  • Emily Goodrich
  • Erco Worldwide (Chemtrade)
  • Eric Andersen
  • Erica Yik Ka Liu
  • Esthetics by Tracy
  • Gail Snelling
  • Huckleberry Childcare
  • In-Ah Mellor
  • Jane Tom
  • Jayce Allen
  • Judith Spencer
  • Linda Dong
  • Maddy Battisti
  • Maplewood Farm
  • Maria Zerjav & Jim Mandelli
  • Maureen and Ian Robertson
  • Mt. Seymour United Church
  • Rebecca Gabriel
  • Special Times Out of School Care
  • Stephanie Griffiths
  • Stongs
  • Susan Bittel
  • Susan Brennan

Here’s a photo of Berry Family Child Care / Wildwood Child Care that once again collected donations for Blueridge Cares. Again, thank you!

Here are some of the gifts that were given out as part of this year’s effort:

As always, many thanks to everyone that helped or donated!

We couldn’t do it without you!