{"id":41533,"date":"2017-12-14T06:02:21","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T11:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=41533"},"modified":"2018-10-01T12:47:20","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T16:47:20","slug":"sorting-meet-ralph-gibson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/sorting-meet-ralph-gibson\/","title":{"rendered":"Sorting it out: Meet Ralph Gibson"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every two weeks, I will be profiling an extraordinary human being who lives in our community. If you know someone who is doing something interesting with their life, I want to hear about it. Send me an email at <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i>laura.maclean@doppleronline.ca<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Salvation Army has a team of volunteers who work tirelessly to bring joy into the homes of those less fortunate at Christmas time. It’s an annual undertaking that requires a lot of time and a lot of effort. There’s a common theme among these unsung heroes: they are there to give hope and many of them do it quietly and don’t need a pat on the back or reassurance that they’re doing a good thing. Ralph Gibson is one of those people…<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s a big job but somebody’s got to do it.<\/p>\n

Ralph has been organizing the Salvation Army’s Christmas food hampers for hundreds of local families in need for the last five years. And as big and as hectic and as time-consuming as it is, he doesn’t mind doing it. In fact, it’s an annual undertaking he thoroughly enjoys. There’s a lot of work to do but he certainly doesn’t fret. Nor does he stress or get overwhelmed or get bent out of shape. It always gets done. Ralph leads a team of dedicated volunteers who find it in their hearts, year after year, to put whatever they have to do on hold to make the season bright for those who are less fortunate.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ralph is admired by Salvation Army staff for his willingness to help. And he doesn’t just give his time at Christmas. He’s a dedicated volunteer year round.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the few years that he’s been doing it, he’s watched the numbers steadily increase. More and more families are in need. That’s a sad reality, he says.<\/p>\n

He knows there are others out there who won’t ask for help even though they desperately need it. Perhaps they have too much pride. But if they could swallow their pride and ask, without a doubt the Salvation Army would help them.<\/p>\n

Ralph was born and raised in Hamilton but the Salvation Army has been a constant in his life. Although he regularly attended church his whole life, he never really knew the extent of how the Salvation Army operated. Not until he came here, that is. When it came time for Ralph to retire, he and his equally awesome wife Cathy decided to plant new roots in Huntsville.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ralph and his wife Cathy are considered assets at the Salvation Army. They have rescheduled their winter holiday in order to help out at Christmas.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

They couldn’t have picked a better town. They love it here. And instead of finding a part time job to keep busy, Ralph decided it was time to give back. He sort of stumbled into volunteering at the Salvation Army. But it was probably meant to be anyway. He believes in what the Salvation Army stands for and its mandate Giving Hope Today <\/i>is one the organization clearly delivers.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s surprising how many people think the Salvation Army only helps homeless people,\u201d says Ralph. \u201cWe don’t just help the homeless. We help people who are working and are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the moment the food bins go out around town to collect non-perishable items from the public \u2014 the first Wednesday in December; this year it fell on the 6th \u2014<\/sup> Ralph is at the Salvation Army. He’s there every single day, arriving usually around 8 a.m. and stays for most of the day. He also takes it upon himself to do random pickups if requested. The word ‘no’ isn’t really in his vocabulary. He’s there to do whatever he can. As the volunteers trickle in over the course of the day, Ralph assigns them various jobs in the building’s giant sorting room. One thing that’s evident is the camaraderie between the volunteers. They laugh, they joke, they eat lunch together. It’s like one, big, happy family. And there’s a common theme among them: everyone who is pitching in is doing it out of the goodness of their heart.<\/p>\n\n\t\t