Passerby buys dog food for puppy and other random acts of kindness by Calgarians
Read heart-warming acts of kindness shared with CBC Calgary as part of our annual Food Bank Drive
Throughout the month of December, CBC stations across the country invite you to help Make the Season Kind as we celebrate the kindness of others with special programming and a coming together in support of local charities.
In Calgary, for 36 years, residents have been donating to the Calgary Food Bank through CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Food Bank Drive, raising more than $21 million. This year, from Dec. 3 to 24, join us virtually for special broadcasts, events, auctions and online sales while helping us reach our goal of $1 million to the Calgary Food Bank from the comfort of your home.
- Click here to donate to the Calgary Food Bank
Put a smile on your face — and the faces of others — by sharing your story of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year, and be entered to win a local prize pack. Your act of kindness may even be featured on CBC Calgary. Maybe you or someone you know picked up groceries for an elderly neighbour? Organized a virtual play date? Got a call from a long lost friend that made your day? Sewed homemade masks, or sent coffee to your local front-line workers?
No act of kindness is too big or too small.
Here are some of the wonderful stories we've received so far, with thanks to all who wrote or called in to CBC Calgary — and even more, to all of those who are carrying out these random acts of kindness in the community. We'll share more of these heart-warming acts that have been shared with us in the days ahead, on the Calgary Eyeopener, The Homestretch, the CBC Calgary's website and social media.
From Emma Booth:
"This morning there was a couple with their big dog outside of Petland in Shawnessy. I asked them what kind of dog food they needed for this handsome puppy and they couldn't remember the name but they said if I was willing and able to help them, a gift card would be amazing. I was buying my own dog his food, and I got them a $50 Petland gift card. When I came outside to give it to them, they were teary eyed and let me pet their dog. I also gave them the change I had in my purse so they could get themselves something warm from Tim Hortons. I am not necessarily in an amazing financial place but everyone needs a helping hand."
From Khushboo Sablok:
"When I had my baby, my neighbours helped me by sending delicious food everyday for a few weeks. As a newcomer, I was going through loneliness and postpartum depression. Their small act of kindness helped me come out of the depression. Since then, we now have family relations with them. They stood by me when I needed my family most. I'm so blessed."
From Brenda Goodbody:
"I have always wanted to be a loving donor. In 2019, I found a potential match who needed a kidney. I signed up right away to be tested and after going through a year and a half of testing, it was found that we were a great match! We underwent surgery on Aug. 4 of this year and things have been going quite well for my recipient. I had the chance to meet him and his wife in the hospital. They are both beautiful people and I feel so fortunate that I was in good enough health myself to offer him the gift of life. He has since returned to work, free of the constraints of dialysis. I took just under four months off to recover and am back at work and life. I've had no regrets, and it is so rewarding to know that someone else is living a life they could have just easily lost without a transplant."
From Asha Connery:
"My patient did not have any laundry soap and cannot recall how/when to do laundry. Her family is really supportive but going through a tough time right now. I just couldn't leave them hanging so I went and purchased some laundry soap and did her laundry!"
From Lyne Leger:
"It's not much because I don't have much right now. My mom paid for my flights back home to New Brunswick in August. I'm unemployed and didn't qualify for EI or any other sort of financial assistance, so her kindness far exceeds anything else I've ever gotten. I managed to pass it on to a fellow traveler during the flight from Calgary to Toronto. My ticket came with a free meal I did not know about. I had enough food for the flight but my seat mate, a young mother with her infant son, inquired about the prices. I told her to pick what she wanted regardless of the price, so that she could have my meal. Her adorable son never once left her lap and not once cried due to his ears. It was the least I could do to help someone else. They were flying to her country (Brazil) for her family to meet the son she had while living in Canada. So that's my two-for-one gift of kindness!"
From Tiffany Stones:
"My neighbour and amazing photographer Janet donated studio time, her time and organized free photo sessions for front-line workers. The results were, of course, amazing and heart-breaking as these front-line workers told their stories of what their lives have been like through the pandemic."
From Kylie Fitzpatrick:
"My girlfriend, Cait, loaned all her son's clothing, toys and some gear to my husband and I when our son was born. He's about 18 months younger than Cait's child. It was so generous of her, and we've added to the stash so we can continue to grow our collection for our next kiddos and those of our friends. New baby gear is so pricey, so this has been a massive help!"
From Fouziya Aboobacker:
"We run a takeout store, Chickzy Pizza, located in Shawnessy. Our customers were very supportive in this pandemic, following all health guidelines and rules. Some customers called us and informed us when they tested positive or had been a close contact for COVID -19. We were happy for such humans who go to the extra care so that they didn't spread the virus from them to others. We have given free food to them in return, during their quarantine period.
WATCH | Calgarians make a coffee run to help the Calgary Food Bank
Again — you can share your story with us of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year with an online form here or by using the hashtag #CBCFeedsYYC on Instagram or Twitter. You can also share your act of kindness by calling and leaving a message for the Calgary Eyeopener at 403-521-6209 or The Homestretch 403-521-6244.
You'll be entered in a chance to win prize packs that include:
- Julie Van Rosendaal's Cookies I Have Loved cookbook.
- A limited-edition Milk Jar candle.
- A $50 gift card to Bowtie Pizza.
- A 36-piece box of salted caramel chocolates from Master Chocolate.
- A chocolate gingerbread person from cochu Chocolatier.
- A wooden CBC-engraved tree ornament.
- A 12-ounce bag of One Gray Knight coffee beans from Fratello Coffee Roasters.
- A limited-edition One Gray Knight coffee mug.
- CBC Calgary winter swag (retro socks, toque, scarf, mittens).
Deadline to enter to win is Friday, Dec. 17, at noon MT.
- See the full schedule of events, contests, auction items, partners and more for the CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Calgary Food Bank Drive here.