The time Lions knocked on our door on a dark December night

On a dark December night in 1952, there was a knock on our door. Since we lived literally two miles from our nearest neighbor, we were all somewhat apprehensive.

My father answered the door and there stood Father Regan and two other men. These angels had a sleigh full of toys and food for our family. We could not comprehend why this was happening as our English was still very poor.

We had only been in Canada 14 months. Father Regan made us understand that these were gifts for our family with no strings attached.

I remember very well that they gave me a doll, which I immediately recognized as Snow White. She was beautiful! She had black hair, a lovely face and was wearing a long blue skirt, a yellow top with an orange velvet cape over the dress. I know that my three brothers also received presents, but I don’t remember what they were.

For my parents was given the best gift of all – the ingredients for a festive Christmas dinner. There was a large ham, oranges, grapes, apples and other foodstuffs – but I don’t remember if there was a turkey. We sincerely thanked the two men and our parish priest, Father Regan. It must have been him who told these people about our family.

The following year we were living in our own house in Dogpatch – a small settlement between Creighton Mine and Lively. As time went on my Dad purchased a black and white television set. Dad and the boys loved watching sports on TV.

One Saturday, this program came on and I figured out that people were promising to send money to help those who needed that. After several years of watching this show, which went on well into the night, I realized that our family had been the beneficiary way back in 1952.

I learned that an organization called the Lion’s Club fulfilled all those Christmas wishes and delivered the gifts to the families whose names had been submitted to them as being needy. It was a fantastic task that they handled with handshakes, smiles and good will.

Since I have been working and earning money, I always donate to the Lion’s Club Christmas Telethon, understanding how they helped families at that critical time of year. I will never forget that knock on the door so long ago that made our Christmas so wonderful! I will feel immense gratitude to the Lions Club as long as I live.

This year’s Telethon airs Dec. 5 on CTV. Please donate whatever you can.

Erna de Burger-Fex is a writer and retired teacher.