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Forever Young running club founders John and Joan Young look forward each year to celebrating the Christmas holidays with family and friends. And, as always, giving back through the club to the Richmond Food Bank remains a priority.

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Youngs keep Christmas close at hand

By Don Fennell

Published 12:04 PST, Tue December 21, 2021

Last Updated: 12:33 PST, Tue December 21, 2021

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was written prior to the province introducing new restrictions in the wake of the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

John and Joan Young epitomize the term young at heart. And their plans for the Christmas holiday season reflect that.

The founders of the Forever Young running club, the couple keep active throughout the year dedicating themselves to being the best they can be. And in doing so, they enthusiastically extend a welcoming and helping hand to the community at large.

Such a positive and inspiring mindset all starts at home, and the Youngs’ Christmas tradition reflects that as their house is decorated and trimmed with love. The exterior features plenty of colourful lights, while inside a big tree in the living room shines through the front window for Santa to see.

“The Young family always celebrates Christmas morning opening presents under the tree, when our middle-aged children and our grandchildren arrive from their homes nearby,” John explains. “Nothing is more delightful and fun than watching our grandkids rip open their presents with shrieks of glee. This is usually followed by a waffle brunch which easily tides us over (until) the highlight of the day—Joan’s delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings. At the table we snap open Christmas crackers and wear silly paper hats, while we pass around the platters of deliciousness. For the 48 years we have been married, we have celebrated this way.”

Of course, John stresses, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Christmas cookies. For the past several years, Joan sets aside a cookie-making day with the couple’s daughter and daughters-in-law. The afternoon sees the kitchen transformed into a cookie-making factory, with four “mission-focused” ladies making delicious and attractive Christmas delights. Even their six-year-old granddaughter is recruited to carefully place the Smarties on top.

The month of December, in general, is special to the Youngs who make the most of it to share precious time with family and friends.

“We have about 27 families on Barkerville Court and each December Joan and I host a Christmas tea at our home,” John says. “Many of our guests are amazed that we have a wood burning fireplace, and are eager to take selfies in front of the fire.”

The tea also allows for the introduction of newcomers to the close-knit street, with many making impromptu speeches expressing how welcome they feel in the neighbourhood.

“This is a great time to bring out our rarely-used English tea cups inherited from past generations,” John adds.

Then, of course, there is the Forever Young Club, and a big year-end luncheon at the Richmond Curling Club which traditionally attracts over 100 members.

“Of course, we schedule the banquet on one of of our walk/run days, holding it an hour or so later,” John says. “Exercise first, coffee and fun second.”

During the banquet, the Youngs look forward to presenting a large-sized cheque to to the Dream-On Foundation charity from the proceeds of the club’s not-for-profit Forever Young 8K held each September.

And, not to be overlooked, is the singing by all—led by members who sing in choirs.

“We pass our carol sheets and all join in,” says John, noting many members do not celebrate Christmas but sing along with joyous abandon.

Unfortunately, for the past two years COVID has put a halt to the celebrations. But recognizing need pauses for no one, the club continue to raise needed dollars for the Richmond Food Bank. Last year, club members donated $3,790.

Finally, this year John and Joan, along with good friends, have decided to take a short stay-cation in Vancouver; booking an upscale hotel downtown for two nights. They also plan to splurge at a fancy restaurant for dinner, before attending the fabulous Tenors Christmas Concert at the Orpheum Theatre. They’ve also booked the Michelangelo presentation at Canada Place to cap off a relaxing and refreshing break from their regular Richmond routine.