There are a few reasons why a Maple Ridge Mountie has spent her every free moment this month making greeting cards for seniors.
Const. Britteny George has made about 815 Christmas cards.
She made them because she鈥檚 crafty.
鈥淚 used to be artistic in high school,鈥� she said.
But Const. Julie Klaussner, the spokesperson for the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment, corrected her right away. She鈥檚 still 鈥渧ery artistic.鈥� She painted a train to decorate a door at the office, and 鈥渋t was amazing,鈥� said Klaussner.
George made the greetings because COVID-19 meant police officers with the detachment would not be able to go carolling at seniors homes in the city this Christmas. Each holiday season, a group of 10 or 20 officers, more or less depending on the day, will take part. Some get dressed up in their celebrated red serge, and they bring some Christmas cheer to old folks homes in town. Klaussner said the officers enjoy it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of my favourite things to do during this season,鈥� said George. 鈥淵ou get to spend time with these amazing people, and they are so glad to see us.
鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic having them sing along with us 鈥� my voice is horrible.鈥�
It鈥檚 ironic that the population most impacted by COVID-19, who would perhaps benefit the most from having carollers come to sing with them, can鈥檛 be visited this year. They can鈥檛 compromise their safety.
She first had the idea of sending seniors cards because she was involved with a different outreach project for seniors, and felt like it could have gone a little further鈥� been a little more personal.
So George went to Michaels and bought 800 card stocks, printed off photos for each, and went over a list of names she had received from six homes in Maple Ridge, and another in Pitt Meadows. To each name, she writes a message. She thinks about making the person who reads the card smile. They are from the police of Ridge Meadows.
She admits, it has taken a lot of time.
鈥淓very minute that I鈥檓 at home, I鈥檓 making cards,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ubby is in charge of dinner.鈥�
She has been writing cards since the start of December, and now she鈥檚 almost done.
鈥淣o one gets forgotten at Christmas time. I want them to still see Christmas as a time of magic and hope and love.鈥�
READ ALSO:
READ ALSO:
She has created the cards because she has a big heart. Klaussner said George鈥檚 fellow officers are impressed by her Christmas spirit.
鈥淓veryone is really touched. It鈥檚 such a thoughtful gesture, on behalf of everyone else,鈥� said Klaussner. 鈥淚 have a grandma, and I would love for someone to be thinking of her this way.鈥�
鈥淚 am so proud of Constable George,鈥� said Supt. Jennifer Hyland. 鈥淭his is not the first example of her going above and beyond for the community. It is not uncommon for our local constables to do these types of the things for the community, and I am very pleased that Constable George is being recognized by so many for this amazing act of kindness.鈥�
ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
Like us on and follow us on
