HOPE ALIVE IN WINDSOR
Good day, My name is Christine and I wanted to contribute to the posts on spotted in Windsor. First let me tell you that my reason for adding my thoughts are not for in any way to receive thanks or praise but rather to showcase the truth about how generous and kind many Windsorites are. My experience started with the Good Fellows, my husband and I volunteered for the newspaper drive; it was a very cold day to say the least, but that did not deter us from standing on the corner while seeking donations because the joy and excitement no, it was the pride in people s faces while giving that gave us the warmth to say out. We took a quick break from outside to enjoy a much needed hot coffee and while inside a young woman offered to buy our coffee and donut; truthfully her giving was appreciated but our receiving is what was the gift. She felt proud to do this for us. We hugged and thanked her. Later that day we decided to get involved with the toy drives. We headed out and bought a ton of gifts and candy to donate. Long story short it was amazing knowing that families would be blessed over the holidays. For the next 3.5 weeks we collected and dropped gifts where we could.
We ended up getting a last minute donation of toys but sadly could not find an organization still open to accept and distribute before Christmas Eve, so we picked a bunch of parking lots and found random people with children walking down the street to give out the gifts. My favourite was a young couple with 2 small boys near Drouillard Road walking with a stroller full of groceries, as I turned the corner I yelled out to one of the boys and asked him what his name was, he gladly told me his name. I quickly pulled over and opened the back of my van and told him that Santa had just called my cell phone and told me to hurry and turn the corner or I would miss them. I handed the boys some gifts and baggies full of candy. The one boy about 5 years old; literally bounced straight up and down for minutes yelling Santa told her to turn the corner repeatedly . (the tears flowed) The father turned to me and asked why are you doing this, what is this all about? Of course since the children were present I turned and said um Santa just called me and said they were really good at the grocery store .it was awesome! I drove away ..
So my long story continues, on New Years Eve I was looking on kijiji for a few items that I was interested in purchasing, and happened to come across an ad asking for help with food, I told my husband about the ad and we decided to respond to this woman. We decided after communicating with her that we would not go out for dinner for New Years and instead purchase everything on this woman s list of needs. We also decided to play Santa with toys and candy. We filled 14 grocery bags with good stuff along with party food as it was New Years Eve. We delivered it all to her. After we left I felt a pit in my stomach as she just did not seem all too appreciative, although I dismissed it as pride. When we arrived home we decided to look on kijiji and see if we could help someone else. We responded to another ad, and offered our assistance; we were given a list of needs and an address, it turns out it was the same girl. We were shocked, my husband asked her if anyone had helped her and she responded not as of yet . After long thought I posted a warning on kijiji about this girl, and low and behold within 15 minutes we received several emails stating that they too had helped her. What happened next is why I am writing in, NOT BECAUSE WE NEED THANK YOU S OR TO SAY ALL PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR HELP ARE SCAMMERS, but rather to share with you that since placing that ad, we have received over 150 emails from people thanking us, and wishing a Happy New Year and God Bless us. So the moral of my story is that many people here in Windsor are loving, caring and considerate people. I know in my heart that everyone wishes that they were in a position to help another person. I also know that there are people who wish that someone would help them. I am devastated at the number of people who emailed me and asked if they could get food as well. Are there really that many people in need? YES, so please fellow Windsorites don t stop helping others or donating even a loaf of bread just because Christmas is over. Every day some one finds themselves in shitty situations, and it is our responsibility to be there for one another. Kindness and nice gestures are HOPE and many people need to be reminded that HOPE is alive and well here in Windsor. With respect to the young girl that got a lot of help, just pray for her that she never finds herself in a position of really needing help and finds that there is no one there for her or her children. God Bless all of you for reminding me that there are so many good and thoughtful people in this city. Now here is a suggestion (don t hate me) stop paying it forward with coffee at Timmie s. if the person behind you is driving a car and is about to pay for a coffee, chances are they can afford it, YES it is a nice gesture but why not try buying one for some poor fellow walking in the cold or send the $2 to Good Fellows or Salvation Army. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ~Christine~