“I like selling Megaphone this time of year because it gives me a chance to help others as much as I can. And give them joy and happiness throughout the year.

“It’s also a way of me giving of myself. I like trying to help a person get out of their own shell. Like people who are very shy and stay at home. It’s still ongoing, and it brings out the best in me.

“The biggest achievement I’ve had this year is meeting new people every day I go out. I enjoy meeting new people. And my proudest moment is to interact and meet with new people.

“The biggest surprise this year is people giving me so much respect and trying to include me in a way that I can be a better person every time.

“The biggest challenge this year, I think, is just facing what I have to deal with every day of my life—the positive and the negative.

“To a degree, I’m still trying to be a better person than I actually am. Every day. And I still like to learn through others.

“My hope for the new year is everybody stays safe. It’s about the giving of one person to care about one other person. Not just receiving, but giving.

“I plan on relaxing for the holidays, having a big feast, and thinking about a lot of the people I met throughout the year.

“To all the people I deal with, may you have a safe and happy holiday. And may all your wishes of the new year come true!”

Victoria vendor Craig Baron sells outside the London Drugs on Yates St., between Quadra and Vancouver streets. His usual hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Photo by Josh Tanasichuk.

Since you are already here: We’re working hard to create more low-barrier work opportunities while we build support to end poverty. But we need your help to continue. There’s still a $25,000 gap for what we have planned for next year. Please chip in $10 or more today to build solutions to homelessness: www.megaphonemagazine.com/donate