A stranger pays a veteran's dental bill, teens give free concerts and other 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 35 years, residents have been donating to the Calgary Food Bank through CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Food Bank Drive, raising more than $20 million. This year, from Dec. 4 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.
- Join us on Thursday, Dec. 17, for a full day of special holiday programming as we raise donations for the Calgary Food Bank. You can find out more here. Want to get a shoutout from our hosts or columnists? Share your acts of kindness by using the hashtag #CBCFeedsYYC on Twitter and Instagram between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and you may just hear from one of them!
Share your story with us of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year and — as part of our Food Bank Drive — be entered to win a local prize pack. We'll share more of these heart-warming acts that have been shared with us in the days ahead, on CBC Calgary radio programs Calgary Eyeopener and The Homestretch, CBC Calgary's website and social media. Here are some of the wonderful stories we've received so far.
From Carolyn Mahovlich:
"I was at the dentist and was signing my benefit claim after getting my tooth fixed, when an elderly man next to me was talking to the other receptionist. She was explaining to him over and over that he had to pay the 95 dollars because his appointment today wasn't covered by his veteran plan. He told her over and over he couldn't pay, that he had served for Queen and Country and he hadn't realized it was going to cost that much, otherwise he wouldn't have come in. He told her he would have to come back on the 22nd because that's when his cheque came in. I knew she felt bad asking him and he had to leave because his ride was waiting outside, and she was upset because he was upset, but she still needed the money. After he left, I asked her if she would let me pay his bill and she was stunned. I knew that even on the 22nd, he wouldn't have the money. I mean, this man went to war for me, has allowed me to live in a peaceful country and be educated, the least I could do was pay for a dental appointment in hopes he would have a better Christmas. Both receptionists started to cry and let me pay. Driving home I've never felt so grateful to be in the right place, at the right time, to help such a special person. God bless veterans, lest we forget."
From Elizabeth Sentner:
"Hi, I am a grade 12 student here in Calgary. Over the summer I created the volunteer organization Teens With Tunes to perform socially distant outdoor concerts with non-wind instruments at senior care facilities. I could see the effects of isolation on my grandparents and knew that the senior community in Calgary was struggling, too. I contacted many homes and started the process of booking performances and recruiting volunteers. All of our outdoor performances were successful, and the residents, staff, volunteers and family of the volunteers thoroughly enjoyed each performance. Two volunteers especially pluck at the audience's heartstrings when they play the Tennessee Waltz as a duet, which is a fan favourite. Some homes could not accommodate an outdoor performance, so we made a video of all our volunteers performing to send to these homes and we just completed a second video to celebrate the holiday season. In our Christmas video, we included children from around the world wishing the seniors in Calgary a Merry Christmas. Seeing the seniors' reactions to our performances is always touching and directing Teens With Tunes has been a bright spot in my life during this time of sickness."
From Marion Nichols:
"Every morning, a friend (who prefers not to be named) texts me with at least three humorous nuggets. Although I'm not sure of how many people are on her morning contact list, I think that there are at least five of us seniors who live alone. The morning texts serve a few purposes: 1. Wellness check — A couple of times, when I didn't respond in a reasonable amount of time, my sweet friend called to make sure that I was okay. If I had not answered, she would have contacted my niece to check on me. 2. Morning giggle — Priceless! I love to laugh every morning! 3. Antidote to isolation — For people who live alone, it's wonderful to know that someone cares enough to be in touch every morning. 4. Mental health support — On the days when I didn't have the strength to reach out to others, responding to her text was easy and affirming. 5. The pleasure of sharing — I have shamelessly forwarded the witticisms to others who also enjoyed them. I feel privileged to have such a considerate friend. Although she sometimes has health challenges, she keeps on giving to the rest of us."
From Rawad Saghir:
"I own a few local restaurants in the city by the name of Pita Basket. In the first lockdown, we started feeding people free meals if they were going through a tuff time and you guys posted us on the news to spread the word. We have been keeping that up ever since but we just wanted to refresh people's memory and let them know once again if they need a free meal, we are here to help. If you guys can help us spread the word, it will be much appreciated. Pita Basket Airdrie is the main location I work out of."
From Candice McGregor:
"Received 1: I was having a particularly hard day, just all the stresses of 2020 felt particularly heavy that day and I broke down crying in the drive-thru of Second Cup. The driver ahead of me must have noticed as I was using anything to dry my tears. When I got to pay for my stuff, I found they already paid for it. Received 2 and Gave: Alberta Wine Ninjas has a Facebook group where you post your address and someone will drop of a care package at your door and run away before you can open the door. I have had this done to me and have also done this in return to others. Care packages can include wine, candy, other drinks, chips, Anything really …super fun thing to be apart of. 3: I've made a bunch of delicious chocolate chip banana bread and dropped it off at various friends' places."
From Emily M.:
"I wanted to share a story with you because there has been so much news about Albertans who are acting so selfishly (refusing to wear masks, visiting care homes/hospitals knowing they are COVID-positive etc) and so many people are feeling frustrated and depressed by people's lack of caring or community spirit.
Yesterday my faith in people's goodness got a big boost. I have a child who has recently identified as gender non-binary. This week they were feeling very urgently that they needed a haircut that reflected that identity.
Unfortunately, they told me this the day after the new provincial restrictions were announced, including the impending closure of hair salons. This meant that places were extremely booked up. Everywhere I called not only was full but already had a wait list.
I mentioned the unfortunate timing of this identity crisis to some friends in a group chat and one of them immediately texted that they had an appointment booked and would happily give it to my child if the salon would be OK with it. I was so grateful and felt such a big weight lifted from my shoulders and heart, knowing that my child would not have to spend the next four weeks feeling dysmorphic about their hair.
The salon (Avenue Blonde Hair Studio in Lake Bonavista) agreed to the switch and when we showed up for the appointment they had comped the entire cost. It almost brought me to tears. The generosity of my friend who without hesitation gave up her appointment and then the generosity of the salon, that is going into a month without income, being so kind was amazing. I honestly could not believe it. My child left thrilled with their new hair, feeling like their authentic self, the staff were super accepting and kind and used their preferred pronouns and I was floored by the generosity.
In order to help ensure businesses like this stay afloat (and as a thank you to the friend who gave us her time) I bought a gift certificate for a future visit when restrictions lift and I encourage others to do the same! At Avenue Blond right now they even have a special if you buy a $100 gift certificate you get $20 gift certificate for free. So please, Calgary support businesses like this that despite their own stress about restrictions/closures are still supporting their community.
From MyAn Pacholkow:
"I am a driver volunteer for LeftOvers. I drive excess food products from bakeries and businesses to social services agencies. I plan to do more routes this season as I recently got laid off. This volunteering gives me joy and purpose."
From Lynda Greuel:
"#CBCFeedsYYC sharing face masks with parishioners of @StstephenYYC has been so much fun and a little act of kindness!"
From Lynn Harbaugh:
"So many people giving so much every day to all of us. Am thanking them as I encounter them during the day, at the drive-thru, the grocery store. … with business-sized cards … a small way to express gratitude for their sacrifice."
From Moira Brownlee:
"Today, I was walking my dog on Nose Hill, and as dogs do, he decided to defecate as we were strolling along the path. I turned back to pick it up and heard a voice calling me. It was hard to see where the voice was coming from as the sun was right in my vision. Peering above my sunglasses I saw a woman standing on the grass with a big bag full of dog faeces. She informed me that if I picked up my dog dropping she would take it from me and deposit it in the garbage. It was windy out there on the hill and I was so grateful for this random act of kindness she chose to perform — not only for the other dog walkers, but to make the walk more attractive to all those who love those paths on Nose Hill. It really was a very kind act."
To read more heart-warming stories like these, see:
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.
Whichever way you choose, you'll be entered to win a local prize pack, which include:
- A limited-edition CBC Calgary x Local Laundry holiday crewneck.
- A 36-piece box of salted caramel chocolates from Master Chocolate.
- Julie Van Rosendaal's Dirty Food cookbook.
- An Inspirati tea towel.
- A Milk Jar diffuser.
- A $50 gift card to Bowtie Pizza.
- A 12 oz. bag of One Gray Knight coffee beans from Fratello Coffee Roasters.
- A limited-edition One Gray Knight coffee mug.
- CBC Calgary winter swag (blanket, toque, scarf, mittens, retro socks).
Click here to donate to the Calgary Food Bank.
See the full schedule of events, contests, auction items, partners and more for the CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Calgary Food Bank Drive here.