Christmas has been over for many weeks, but there was still one gift left to be given after a fundraiser held on Christmas Day at the hot pools at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

The lifeguards at the pools hold a donation day on Christmas where people can bring a donation of non-perishable foods items or cash which is donated to the Columbia Valley Food Bank.

This year was once again a success with $940.78 raised and 11 boxes of food given for the cause.

“Every year at Christmas people who come to the hot pools bring donations of food or cash for the food bank and they give a great deal, “ said Rachel Salviege, a lifeguard at the pool.

The day has been supported quite heavily over the past number of years with the pool being filled on Christmas Day in 2010.

Doug Leibel is the chairman of the Columbia Valley Food Bank

“We are always in need of food. Even though we do get a lot of food donations we still have to spend around $300 a month in groceries. Cash donations like this are essential for us to keep going,” Leibel said.

He went on to explain that most of the donations in a year come in from November through January and that money raised through this type of event helps many people throughout the Columbia Valley.

“Demand is constant throughout the year; luckily we have people like this who fundraise on their own. It is very gratifying because of the work they do,” he said.

Salviege explained that many people come out on Christmas not only for the pools but also to help with the fundraiser.

“This year one regular came in and gave $50 for a donation,” Salviege said.

Leibel went on to explain that it is always an amazing thing to see how people in the area step up to help other people.

“The valley is always giving and this teaches the children about that. These people in the valley really care about those who are less fortunate. We are so grateful,” he said.