Morning Radio

"Scatter JOY"
Emerson

My city is relatively small, though feels larger than other cities the same size. This has to do with the fact that it is the provincial capital with a big public service sector, home to two universities, the now nationally infamous Beaverbrook Art Gallery, an active arts community, and a river that runs through it. Steeped in Canadiana history, which is visible just by walking along Queen Street downtown past the old soldier's barracks and Officer's square, Fredericton has a city feel to it. What makes it so special is the village feel to it, where people know one another, where there is a sense of familiarity. I was reminded of this feeling while listening to the local CBC morning program this week.


Every year, like many businesses and organizations all over, CBC orchestrates a Christmas fundraising drive. Last year, they focused on collecting turkeys for the local food bank to distribute. This year, they kickstarted a program called "Feed a Family" about a week ago and have since raised over $50,000.00 so far. Tomorrow is the last day. All week, morning radio has been the impetus of promoting and scattering joy.........they have opened their doors to welcome community members to stop for a coffee and treat on the way to work to drop off any donations and all week the "listening audience" has done just that.

Throughout the morning show, interspersed with newsy interviews with politicians from various levels of government, sports and weather updates, the CBC host jumps in to chat with someone who has just dropped in for coffee and treats........and to add to the coffers. Some names and voices are familiar to me as I see them in my city from time to time, many organizations are well known....... all seem to feel a sense of connection to the host and crew at the CBC because they listen most mornings.........you kind of feel like you do know them. These chats and the stories behind the donations made to the Feed a Family fund are much more enlightening and meaningful than any of the political wingeing going on over budgets and deficits and broken election promises.......in fact the joyful scattering makes the political postering insignificantly petty.

Some stories................................

• A woman arrived with two freshly baked pies for the coffee and treat room........ She announced on the radio that she would make two pies of any kind a month for a year, plus two for Christmas dinner to the highest bidder.........the money going to the fund.

• A retired gentleman who took up knitting with gusto only 4 years ago and has since made over 100 sweaters had an idea in the middle of the night. He has knitted everyone and their cousin a sweater. No one needs another one. So, he thought he would offer to knit someone the sweater of their choice to the highest bidder.........the money going to the fund.

• This morning, the local rotary club president arrived with a cheque for $2000.00 that was raised throughout the year in small increments. He set up a challenge to all other service organizations.

• Another active morning listener who often calls in or sends email feedback on a story stopped by to give one of the radio crew a football jersey of his favourite team and a donation from his office of over $400.00 that was collected this fall from "dress down" Fridays in his office, plus a donation from his own family. Being a Red Sox fan, he challenged all other Red Sox fans to match his personal donation.

And on and on and on............................scattering joy.....................making the city feel like a welcoming community village...............

The other night, my family and I went over to the Community Kitchen to help decorate it. It was there that I heard a wonderful story of generosity....... a woman arrived out of the blue with a car load of gift wrapped toys she had purchased from the backpay she received when her salary increase arrived. $1000.00 worth of toys for kids........to scatter joy.

Tomorrow, we find out who gets a new sweater and who gets to eat pie all year long. The final tally will be in............. it will be over their original goal. Many families will have food for their cupboards and a turkey on their tables..........I wish we could bottle this community spirit to uncork in the middle of February when no one's paying attention to the pantry. Joy needs to be scattered throughout the year.