Column: Yes Virginia, people are good

Each year, newspapers across North America reprint the Virginia letter at Christmas time. It survives because it taps into a larger truth, that Santa Claus and his spirit of goodness is the foundation of our society.

That funny fat man in the red suit who lives at the North Pole really does care about you. He wants you to be good; he is checking his list twice, to be double sure of all the good you do.

I believe people are good.

I know that there will be a few scrooges out there who will want to point out to me all the bad people in the world. They will remind me of terrorists and of diseases like cancer. I am more than aware that evil exists, but when you look at the six billion people on the planet, the well-spring of good floods over evil intentions. That is why good defeats evil.

I believe people are good.

I see them at work almost every day. Doctors, nurses and home care workers who truly become extended family for people who are ill and family members who change their entire life to help and comfort a sick or dying relative. There is no financial reward, only the affirmation of doing what is right.

The Alzheimer patient whose spouse provides 24-hour care; the senior who needs assistance to stay in their own home; the incurable patient striving for a quality of life or the person who dies with no relatives, but a caring friend, who sees the earthly body retire from this world with respect. The examples of people exceeding expectations are overwhelming.

I believe people are good.

Edgar Burton led one of the most successful Christmas food drives in Canada and since his death, it has been named in his honour. The Sudbury Food Bank, through its 47 supporting agencies, helps feed more than 14,000 Sudburians every month.

Edgar's drive involves businesses, unions, government offices, schools and an amazing number of individuals. For the vast majority of people who give either food or money, they will never meet or know the people who receive their gifts. This simple truth is true for many charities — they depend on the goodwill of the donor.

A donor must have faith that their donation will go to the good work they wish to support. I know where those food bank donations go: So that a student may participate in a breakfast program; a street person may enjoy a hot meal; a senior fill an empty pantry or a family join in a Christmas dinner.

That faith in goodness by the giver of a can of food or a dollar translates into a healthier and happier community.

I believe people are good.

As I was standing at the back of a church during a funeral, a man entered and asked to talk to the priest. I told him that the priest was doing a funeral mass and would not be available for about an hour. He told me that he needed bus fare to get into town.

I did not have any change on me, but I did have a $20 bill. I will honestly tell you I had a concern with giving that much money, but my better angels took over and I did; with this proviso, "Take the money, but promise me the extra cash you will use for food."

He agreed, thanked me for the help and went on his way.

About three hours later, I was ringing the bells for the Salvation Army Kettle at a local grocery store when who walks out, but this same man. He had a bag of food. He smiled and winked at me. We never said a word, but he had fulfilled his promise.

I believe people are good.

While I was ringing the bells at the Salvation Army kettle, much of humanity passed by and their generosity was obvious. One of the reasons I enjoy spending time at the kettles every year is that it illustrates the core good in people.

They might be giving a quarter or a $50 bill, every level is welcome. The donor might be a three-year-old who can barely reach the kettle making their first donation, or a senior who has given for more years than I have lived.

The spirit of Christmas permeates the busy commercialism of the season. A young girl about 10 years old came along close to the end of my shift. She was sad that she did not have enough money to donate any to the kettle.

I told her not to worry about that and to enjoy the holidays. She went away and came back a few minutes later carrying a Teddy bear. She told me I looked a bit tired and that her bear would like to give me a hug. She put the bear up and gave me that hug — it was probably one of the best presents I will receive this year.

Yes Virginia, I believe people are good!

Geoffrey Lougheed is past chair of the Sudbury Food Bank.