Stacey Wakelin has dubbed it the Oatmeal Project, in large part because the idea was conceived a few days ago while her husband Scott was brewing oatmeal for the family.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to share this with people on the street who need it,” Scott suggested to Stacey just last weekend in their Willoughby kitchen.
As she headed off to work, his comment kept replaying in her head.
“I decided we should do just that,” she said, and so it will be.
The Wakelin family, along with a number of friends and co-workers, are hitting the streets of Langley City tomorrow morning (Saturday, Dec. 17) to distribute warm oatmeal, coffee, other goodies, and some bags of essentials, as needed, she told the Langley Advance.
“Finding ways to give back locally is a passion of mine,” said Wakelin.
“I am very blessed to have people in my life with huge hearts and that embrace plans on the fly,” she explained, noting the initially tried contacting a few local organizations to see if she could work with them on such a project.
Not getting a reply, she decided they’d take on the project alone.
“We’ll hit the streets ourselves,” she said. “In this weather, we are hoping to find people who could use a bit of warmth.”
It’s not a big undertaking. It’s just meant to be something small and meaningful, she said, noting their 13-year-old son Evan and their 11-year-old Taylor will also be joining them.
“Without everyone being willing to help, it wouldn’t be happening,” she said, also expressing gratitude to Jo and Ade Bird, Len and Jo Foss, Michelle Carduner, Kim Loof, and Cathy Potosky.
“These people are always helping me when I come to them with another idea,” Wakelin said.
“I tend to have a project on the go two to three times a year. In 2015, I decided I wanted to do what I could to make Langley a better place with the skills and resources I had.”
Among other undertakings, Wakelin is helping out with the Gateway of Hope’s new art therapy program, and recently made some Christmas cards with You’ve Gotta Have Friends.
As for the Oatmeal Project team, they will hit the street at 8 a.m. on Saturday, from the Value Village parking lot on Glover Road and 56th Avenue.
The team is expecting to spend about an hour or two handing out items in the City core, and invites anyone else interested in participating to come along.
“If people have some extra scarves, warm gloves, and ‘hot shots’ for hands or feet, that would be great. Each member of our group is bringing a contribution to hand out – oranges, Christmas treats, energy bars, etc.”
The team will also be handing out cards promoting a free Christmas dinner being held for the homeless on next Friday, Dec. 23 at the Mon Amie Cafe & Bistro, starting at 5 p.m.