Whenever the holiday season approaches, consumers and the public at large are inundated with advertisements about the best gifts and products available on the market. Enormous sales draw thousands of people to malls, where people spend hours fighting for parking spaces and the last “must have” item on their holiday shopping list. Somewhere in the midst of all the mad rushing about to purchase the best gifts at the best prices, the true meaning of the holiday season can be lost. When standing in the middle of a crowded store where people are pushing and shoving to get to the front of lines and speaking rudely to one another as they wait, it can be hard to picture the many individuals who may not even eat a decent meal during the holidays, let alone open a gift from another.
Regardless of what each individual person believes, the holidays are meant to be a time of love and generosity towards family, friends and mankind in general. It is the time of year when charity organizations seek to enlighten the general public on various undesirable situations in the world and their efforts to aid those in need. It is the time of year when various groups and organizations raise money to help the poor and the homeless in an effort to bring holiday cheer to those who often do without even the basic comforts of life. It is the time when those who have plenty are asked to give to those less fortunate, and such acts of generosity truly are a defining characteristic of the holiday season.
The Canadian Shores Volunteer Fire Department
In addition to providing a vital emergency service, fire departments are well-known for their community outreach efforts and drives. Fire department hosted food and toy drives are especially important during the holiday season, when many families and children may otherwise go without the food, gifts and other items that help bring excitement and cheer to the season. Many fire departments rely not only on donations from generous individuals but also on the larger donations made by organizations who can help make a difference among more families.
For the third year in a row, Narconon Arrowhead has made a valuable holiday donation to the Canadian Shores Volunteer Fire Department. This entirely volunteer-run fire department uses the Narconon Arrowhead donation to support many local families and children in need by providing food, gifts and other necessities during the holiday season. Chief Smith admits that the Narconon Arrowhead donation is very much needed and very highly appreciated.
Narconon Arrowhead’s Annual Food Pantry Drive
Narconon Arrowhead is a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility located in southern Oklahoma. Narconon’s aid to others extends far beyond the holistic and highly successful rehabilitation program they deliver to their clients, and includes many different community service projects and programs throughout the year.
This year marks Narconon Arrowhead’s seventh annual food pantry drive. In addition to the Canadian Shore Volunteer Fire Department, the Narconon Arrowhead food pantry drives have benefited Hope House of McAlister, the Department of Human Services Child Protection Unit, McIntosh and Pittsburg County emergency youth shelters, Eufaula’s God’s Helping Hands, Deep Fork Community Action of Eufaula and many more.
With the generous food and financial donations it receives, Narconon Arrowhead creates food baskets for families, gift cards and checks for community service organizations, clothing, diaper and supply donations, and other items that are needed and wanted by families and organizations in need.
As always, Narconon Arrowhead has been very proud to collect and donate important items to organizations in need, including the Canadian Shores Volunteer Fire Department.