In case one thousand other blog posts, morning television programs, supermarket displays and bustling shop assistants haven’t yet reminded you, Christmas is almost upon us.
You’ll have to excuse us if we sound a little Grinch-y. We’re really not. We love the festive season! Anything that brings people together to share food, exchange gifts and listen to deliciously cheesy music is okay by us.
In fact, as we reach the end of what has been a massive year for Pets of the Homeless (POTH), we’re taking this opportunity to reflect on all the good things our growing community of supporters and volunteers has accomplished. The past 12 months saw us run our first major pet food drive. We launched our website in March and, by October, we’d earned a place in the finals of the BUPA Blog Awards for this little project of love! We also held more fundraising and packing days than ever before, and helped many truly amazing friends along the way.
After all that, it sure feels like we’ve all earned a few weeks of rest and relaxation.
But while many of us will be taking the opportunity to unwind with loved ones, not all our friends are quite so lucky. Even beyond the financial burdens of food and gifts, Christmas can be a time of uncertainty and loneliness for people facing homelessness.
Christmas really is less about material goods and decorations and more about the companionship of friends and family
For any number of reasons, those who are marginalised or estranged from their families may find themselves alone over the holidays. This is a particularly vulnerable time for people facing mental health issues, and for those whose living situations make it impossible to participate in traditional celebrations.
While Christmas really is less about material goods and decorations and more about the companionship of friends and family, many will miss out on these festivities entirely. And not always by choice.
At POTH we’re thinking of those who will be alone and are living rough, staying in their cars or shifting between accommodation over Christmas. Can you imagine spending ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ wondering where you’ll sleep or how you’ll eat?
For this reason, keeping people and pets together over Christmas is more important than ever. Our work feeding hungry pets may mean the difference between a person spending the holidays alone or alongside their main source of comfort and support. It’s this knowledge that drives us to do what we do. Christmas should be joyous for everyone.
It’s harder to feel alone when strangers show that they care
If you’d like to help people and their pets over the holiday period, simply a smile or a quick conversation can make someone’s day. It’s harder to feel alone when strangers show that they care.
We’ve also got something special planned this Christmas. From 11am-2pm on Wednesday 20 December, the POTH team in partnership with our friends at 4Legs Pet Food Company will deliver an early Christmas lunch to patrons of the Transit Soup Kitchen in Narre Warren. And to top it off – for the first time ever at Transit – pets are invited to join the festivities!
We’ll be there with pet food and supplies, plus a vet will be on hand to check over our furry friends. A nifty mobile groomer will also make sure the pets look and feel their best to see in the new year! Everyone is welcome and all food is sponsored by 4Legs so your animal pals will be sure to leave with full tummies and happy hearts.
We understand not everyone has the time or resources to be part of something like this community event, but there are a thousand little ways we can make Christmas a more joyous time for those around us. Wherever you are and however you celebrate this season, take some time to share your goodwill with someone who may be doing it tough.
Sometimes the smallest acts can mean the most for those who’ve been dealt a rough hand, and there’s no better time than Christmas to spread some extra joy throughout the community.
Written by Nicholas Corbett and edited by Kara Smith
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