鈥淚f I couldn鈥檛 do this, I couldn鈥檛 survive the holidays,鈥� Brenda Nelson told the Aldergrove Star.
The Nelson family lost their son Coleton in a car accident on Feb. 18, 2011, when the car he was riding in was struck by a truck at an Aldergrove intersection.
Nelson鈥檚 daughter, Chrystie Mcclurg, lost her 19-month-old son Ryker McClurg five years later, ironically on the fifth anniversary of Coleton鈥檚 passing.
Christmas was Coleton鈥檚 favourite time of year, prompting the to family organize a fundraiser to provide gifts for children in need and assist families who use the Abbotsford Community Services Christmas Bureau.
Their seasonal initiative, Coleton Clause and Ryker鈥檚 Reindeer, has since provided food and aid to more 100 families for nearly a decade as a way to give back as well as help the family cope during a difficult time.
But, like every charitable cause in 2020 鈥� COVID threatened to stall and potentially stop the fundraiser from happening.
鈥淚 was seriously panicking this year, unsure of what was going to happen,鈥� Nelson admitted; a fundraiser has been held each summer around the boys鈥� birthdays to raise funds for their Christmastime efforts.
Last December, Nelson鈥檚 volunteers, which she dubbed 鈥渁ngels,鈥� were able to load up their vehicles with gifts and necessities and convoyed their carloads 鈥� including vegetables and perishable meal items 鈥� to 11 houses with the money they raised.
This year, Nelson hesitantly took to the internet to keep fundraising socially distant by holding an online auction.
鈥淭he fundraiser was extremely successful,鈥� Nelson said.鈥滻t raised more than $12,000.鈥�
Helping hands did not stop there either; Dixon Networks donated an additional $2,000 while Aldergrove Minor Hockey Association agreed to take on six families by donating and delivering hampers.
鈥淚 said to them, 鈥榠f you want to do this, you got to know 鈥� they get cases, not cans鈥�,鈥� Nelson explained.
She estimated that each family who Nelson helps receives about two to three thousand dollars worth of items and non-perishable food items.
鈥淚t鈥檚 done so people don鈥檛 stress where next meal is coming from. That way, they can be mentally in a better space and better their lives in that break,鈥� Nelson said. 鈥淥ne car load of items is for one family 鈥� about three months worth of food.鈥�
Nelson said she helps about five families in need that are refered to her through the Abbotsford Christmas Bureau.
This year because of COVID, she had been posting online in Facebook groups, which led her to find several more families that could use some help.
In total, 23 families from Abbotsford, Aldergrove, 91原创, Chilliwack, and Coquitlam were aided through Coleton Clause and Ryker鈥檚 Reindeer efforts.
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鈥淭here was a lot more awareness this year, so it got bigger 鈥� I liked the fact that we spread it out,鈥� Nelson said.
If that wasn鈥檛 enough, Nelson said she also reached out to senior cares homes to see if there was anything she could do to alleviate loneliness this season.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 believe in going small,鈥� she told The Star, noting that she donated blankets for 19 residents in an Abbotsford care home.
Nelson, Mcclurg, and other volunteers are now in the midst of dispersing gifts and food.
鈥淢ost have no clue that their getting this stuff, so they鈥檒l really be surprised,鈥� she said, laughing that boxes and boxes have completely filled up their home. 鈥淭wo months of the year, the house is not ours. But if it puts a smile on someone鈥檚 face or makes an impact, then it鈥檚 all worth while. We live to do this.鈥�
Each donation has a letter highlighting why the family does the initiative and encourages recipients to use the gift as a chance to better their lives and one day, if possible, to pay it forward.
While efforts in 2021 may seem far off to some, Nelson said getting ahead can help make a difference and take out the worry of being able to fund the initiative and keep it going.
鈥淟et us know who needs help, a lot of people tell us what their kids want for Christmas, but don鈥檛 tell them what they themselves need,鈥� she explained.
People can visit or find more information and to donate to the cause.
People can send funds directly through eTransfer using the email address ccandrr1010@outlook.com.
鈥淲e have way to many people to thank but I would like to thank them and in general everyone that has helped us in any way,鈥� Nelson added. 鈥淲hether it be donating, sorting wrapping or delivering. I may have gotten the ball rolling but everyone else has made it happen.鈥�
Additionally, the 鈥淐oleton Nelson Memorial Tournament鈥� and facilitation of an annual scholarship and award, which was established by the Aldergrove Minor Hockey Association 鈥� was paused this season due to coronavirus restrictions.
Coleton鈥檚 #10 hockey jersey was officially retired in 2019.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@aldergrovestar.com
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