Shovelling a neighbour's sidewalk and other random acts of kindness by Calgarians

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 CC Heard:

My story of kindness is not about me. It is about a man in my community that I do not know, but that I see doing good deeds all the time for others that live in the Ogden community. His name is Wayne Taylor. He lives in Ogden, but he regularly goes out to his family farm and brings back food for the people who live in Ogden. One day, it's pork chops, another day, it's whole chickens or frozen pre-made dinners. He posts on the Ogden/Lynnwood community Facebook page that he has meat available for anyone who needs a helping hand. Once he hears from the people in need, he then delivers the food to their houses. He never asks for anything in return.

There was also a post about Wayne Taylor made by Tricia Clarke-Deeprose on our Odgen Facebook page. She says that he came into the Riverbend Subway and saw her and four girls in graduation dresses. Wayne asked them what school they were graduating from, and when the girls answered Sherwood — Grade 9, he smiled and said, "My picture is also up in the hallway of that school." Then he gave Tricia $50 and said, "Congratulations girls, please have lunch on me.'' This is the kind of upstanding person that your contest should recognize!

From Jaye Fisher:

I came out of the grocery store to find a note tucked into my driver's side door. My heart sank, thinking that someone had hit the van in the parking lot. At least they left a note, I thought with resignation. But that's not what the note said at all! Quite the opposite. It said, "I have taillights that will fit your van — free!" And a number. Well, the van has had its right rear light broken twice (once by my husband, once by my son) and has been a plastic and duct-tape reasonable facsimile for three years, due to me not wanting to put more money into the old van. So I called the number, and a fine gentleman said that not only does he have these spare parts and doesn't want money for them, but he would even put them in for me! Half an hour later, I have two shiny new taillights and a promise to Brian that I will pay it forward. This more than made my day — it restored some of my faith in people. An even funnier thing — I'd already done a small random act of kindness that day — just a small baked treat to a certain store clerk (who teared up and gave me a hug) — but dang! it felt good. So I encourage (even challenge!) everyone to go out and commit a random act of kindness.

From Tilly:

I nominate @danblunt! He always goes out of his way to help others, make them feel special with kind gestures that show he listens and sees them — because he's paid attention to what brings you joy. He's taken the R out of RAK and made it DAK — for Daily Acts of Kindness! He'll mow or shovel for neighbours without being asked, endure hot summer days with horse flies and mosquitoes in his face to pick extra fruit to give away. One of the kindest things he's done for me was phone me every week to check and see how I was doing when I was out of work. He would always have a joke and a job posting to share. He got me through a very, very challenging time. He is one of the hardest working, kindest and most genuine souls I know!! I hope you win this, Danny — your goodness is a real example for me and others. Sending you the biggest thanks for your friendship for all these years! You're an amazing person!

From Sheila Murphy:

My husband is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and I have been moved to tears by the kindness of neighbours, friends and family. It is the little things small acts of kindness that mean the most. Our neighbour has done all our snow shovelling and another neighbour has taken my son to hockey when appointments at the Tom Baker conflicted with a practice time. Another neighbour saw me struggling to hang the Christmas lights on the garage and came out to help. Another friend invited my kids to attend the Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss game. Too many friends to count have dropped off baking, gifts and gift cards to restaurants. Finally, it's also the friends who at the right time in a quiet way call or text to check in to see how you are doing and coping. My family is truly blessed to have such an amazing circle of friends and family and to be a part of a community where neighbours look out for each other.

From Brenda Drew:

Like many others, I learned to make sourdough bread when COVID started. At this point, I've made over 1,000 loaves and given most of it away to my friends, neighbours and family. I follow a gluten-free diet and while I can sneak a piece now and then, I can't really eat much of it. I'm thankful for all the people willing to take my bread because I love baking it. The neighbours have started calling me "Breada."

From Joelle Ungarian:

Nothing special but decided to give my neighbours the gift of having their sidewalk shovelled while I am on maternity leave.

From Robin Taylor:

I helped my neighbour shovel snow from the sidewalk for about the whole winter. I send nice letters to leaders so they have a good day.

From Candace Jackson:

It feels very odd to talk about oneself this way, but I always try to take the time to make my houseless neighbours feel like neighbours whether it be just saying "Hi" with my dog, stopping to make sure they are OK, or if there is anything I can get them, or one time a few people were eating under the shelter of my building and were worried I was going to call the police. I let them know that I couldn't speak to other people in the building but they were welcome to stay and be comfortable as they ate their meal. They promised to clean up after themselves and even shared their bacon with my pup. I just always want people to feel like people.

From Roxie:

I recently started working downtown and recall the first few times navigating the Plus-15 network was daunting! Last week, a young man attending Bow Valley College asked for directions, and instead of offering a confusing combination of lefts and rights, I decided to walk him to his building. It doesn't take much to make a difference in someone's day. If we all help each other a little bit, this world will be OK.

From Karen Rollins:

I was driving down the road that leads to Whiteman Pass towards Canmore in very slippery road conditions. The car in front of me did not make a turn and went into the ditch. I passed them and parked in a safe place just beyond the corner. As I was walking back to see if they were OK, another car came down and lost control ending up in the ditch beside the first car. A third car managed to stay on the road and continued down. The four people in the two vehicles in the ditch were OK but I insisted they get out of their cars because it wasn't safe to stay there. We all spent the next hour staying warm in my car while we waited for the tow truck. A few days later I received the nicest bouquet of flowers for "saving them."

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).

• See the full schedule of events, contests, auction items, partners and more for the CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Calgary Food Bank Drive here.