We had a wonderful new year and gathered together at a small house party with some close friends to ring in the new year. Fondue was on the menu and we all ate way too much. After some DVD music trivia fun and games it was time to head home.

2006 wasn’t a good year for me. I spent the first few months far away from the hubby. While I enjoyed my time in Manila, it would have been nice to be able to bring the hubby with me at least once. Alas, his position in the Canadian Forces ensured that that wasn’t an option this year. In the summer I rushed home to help nurse my dying dad, and on September 26 he passed away. I’ve spent the bulk of the year on an emotional roller coaster and am happy to see the back of 2006.

Despite all the ups and downs this year, I have a number of things to be grateful for. I have a roof over my head, warm clothes in the winter and cool clothes in the summer, food on my plate, and a job that I love (most days). Traditionally, we adopt a needy family to support in December. This year, the need is so great that it seems our efforts hardly make a dent.

There has been a startling rise in homelessness in our city in 2006 (here and here) despite the booming economy. There aren’t enough shelter spaces to provide a warm and safe place where those with no permanent residence can come in from the cold and spend the night.

A warming center (.pdf) has opened a few blocks from our neighbourhood and is hosted by the Crossroads Salvation Army. They don’t have a shelter license, so those in need won’t be able to sleep there, but it does provide a place to come in from the cold, get some coffee and food, and receive counseling if they so desire. The warming center is open from 11pm – 6am each day until the weather begins to warm in late April 2007. Funded by the Salvation Army and donations, and run by volunteers, this center offers something tangible to those in need. It may not be the desperately needed shelter beds, but it’s not empty platitudes and as such needs to be supported and the efforts applauded.

I have decided that rather than making a series of resolutions that I’ll never keep tonight, I’ll make a simple effort to support the warming shelter. It’s not much, but as I don’t know where to begin to solve the problem in our city, it’s the least we can do.

This evening, as we headed home for the evening, we took a short detour and dropped by the warming center with coffee, food and warm socks. In a few short weeks, I’m leaving Edmonton for the warmth of India and the Philippines. I know that hubby will drop in with donations on a weekly basis in my absence.

Welcome to 2007. However you exited 2006, keep in mind that 2007 begins with a clean slate.

Technorati Tags: new year, Manila, homeless, Edmonton, Salvation Army

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