In response to the Dec. 2 article entitled "Lights vandalized but SASHA's spirit remains intact," I am amazed that people would perform such a cruel and thoughtless act to the "Lighting the Way" display that was established as a fundraiser for the Foyer Lacombe hospice, especially with the state of the world right now! Shouldn't we all be helping each other? I don't think the person or persons responsible are likely to read this article; after all, criminals don't read the newspaper.
Many people donated their hard-earned money, including myself, in honour of my mother. You see, the staff at Foyer Lacombe cared for her during the last few weeks of her life, and I am sure that others who donated their money has or have had a loved one cared for at the hospice. This display was put together in honour of those people. How could anyone with any shred of decency do that to people who are dying or in continuing care? Oh, I think I can answer that. They don't have decency, or they were ignorant of the fact that it was in honour of the hospice and its residents. Or, maybe they simply were desperate to hang Christmas lights on their own tree, but couldn't afford them so decided to steal somebody else's. I can't imagine they have something against an organization that cares for people either in continuing care or in their final days of life.
We all gave this gift of lights, and our gift was ruthlessly taken away from us and the residents of the hospice ... how dare they! If the vandals can read this article, you should be ashamed of yourselves. I can only speak for myself, but I'm guessing that your thoughtless act has affected many other people, particularly the residents at Foyer Lacombe because they couldn't look out the window at the beautiful lights anymore.
Good on SASHA's spirit to remain intact, and congratulations to the thieves who acquired some much needed lights. I know I'll have a wonderful Christmas. I wonder if the thieves will wake up on Christmas morning wondering if the residents at Foyer Lacombe are having a wonderful Christmas!
Ellen Ainsley, St. Albert
