It might only be the beginning of November, but Sun Youth is already feeling the holiday spirit.
Volunteers are hard at work preparing for the droves of Montrealers who will be needing their help this year.
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“When they come in, they’re usually sullen, they’re worried about their problems,” said volunteer Allan Evans.
“My attitude is to make sure when they leave here, they’ve got a smile on their faces.”
The 74-year-old retiree has been volunteering his time for the past three years.
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He said he’s seen all kinds of people who are in need of help.
“There are people who do have jobs, but let’s call them the working poor,” he said.
Sun Youth is hoping the food and supplies raised during the holiday drive will last all winter.
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This year, the organization has decided to highlight the work of its 1,500 volunteers.
Erika Baena, 14, has been working at Sun Youth since she moved to Canada from North Carolina four years ago.
She said she’s benefited from the experience as much as the people she’s helping.
“I can be very shy, working here is really helping me to open up and meet new people,” she said.
She spends time at Sun Youth on days off from school and started working on the holiday drive during the summer.
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“It’s crazy busy. We start preparing in June, so during summer vacation I’m already starting the work and making all the papers,” she said.
The organization said it is always in need of more volunteers.
“Sun Youth does a lot. It’s not just youth, it’s as young as you feel that counts,” said Evans.
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