No pandemic can dampen the holiday spirit of Burnaby Family Life and friends who are teaming up to spread Christmas cheer around the community.
“Carolling is a fun and upbeat way of bringing some holiday cheer to people during these challenging times, while following provincial COVID-19 safety orders and — to the delight of everyone — while seeing people in person, and not on a computer screen,” says Constantine McQuade, co-executive director for Burnaby Family Life.
BFL Family Support Services staff coordinated with Burnaby schools to deliver special outdoor carolling appearances for children across the city. The small group of carollers stay outside, wear their masks and stand apart while the children join in the singing from the safety of their classroom.
For the first event in early December, the Gilmore Community School kindergarten class decided to take advantage of the sunshine and join carollers for a special stop at Seton Villa Retirement Centre.
“The ‘Jingle Bell Walk’ was so much fun for our residents who stepped outside to watch from every balcony of our building,” said Alexis Zornio, recreational manager for Seton Villa. “Christmas celebrations are limited this year, so the carolling was very special for them. The carolling was the talk of the villa with our residents during an entire week, it made them feel connected to the community and we’re grateful to Gilmore School and Burnaby Family Life for the cheerful visit.”
Rain or shine, the BFL team will bundle up, put on their masks and make carolling surprise stops at six community schools until Dec. 17 with the hope of bringing joy to everyone for the holidays.
