Calgary volunteers spread
the magic of Christmas
A kind gesture to neighbors has turned into a charitable society
By M. Eleanor Maisey á Special to ChristianWeek
CALGARY–The volunteers with Calgary’s Magic of Christmas don’t just sing "Joy to the World." They bring joy to their neighbors. It’s a unique program that applies Solomon’s theory, "A joyful heart is good medicine."
It began in 1980 when Bob Johnson’s wife, Nancy, was hospitalized. He and his small daughters needed some Christmas joy. So he thought of a way to involve two families–his own and a close neighbor whose family life was deteriorating in spite of efforts to help.
Johnson took his daughters shopping for gifts, and made himself a Santa suit and two elf costumes. Late Christmas Eve he and his excited elves visited their neighbors, rang Christmas bells, distributed gifts and returned home happy.
The next day when Johnson’s neighbors described a stranger’s Christmas Eve visit, he knew he hadn’t been recognized. Johnson was thrilled to hear how his actions had broken the couple’s resistance to each other as they had talked throughout the night. They decided that if a stranger cared that much for them they should give their marriage another try.
"They’re still together," Johnson says. He knew that his family had benefited too. They continued making similar Christmas Eve visits to others in despair. Soon they needed help.
Success stories
Johnson’s success stories were legion and motivating. Friends from his parish, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic, heard of his visits to children’s wards where little ones were convinced they’d been forgotten; of visits to shelters full of people with no family; of new immigrants lacking English skills but recognizing the language of love.
The glowing enthusiasm of those involved and the obvious need for this program has motivated more than 150 Calgarians to volunteer their skills. Several transit buses provided by the city are each staffed by a volunteer union driver, a navigator, coordinator, Santa, two elves and numerous helpers. The costumes provide anonymity for volunteers and seem to open the hearts of recipients. Early last Christmas Eve five buses left Santa’s Workshop (a donated warehouse). By late Christmas morning volunteers had visited more than 5,500 people.
Names of those who may benefit from the program come in from a variety of sources. These lists are carefully screened for legitimacy. Privacy is of utmost importance. Volunteer staff know only the first names of adults and names and ages of children.
Magic of Christmas volunteers get involved for a variety of reasons. Many return because they see the program making a difference. The joy of involvement returns to them many times.
Christmas began with the joyful coming of Christ who asked that we love one another. That seems to be the motivation of these volunteers, many of whom would agree with Bob Johnson, who marvels, "What a way to spend Christ’s birthday."
