DonateMarch 19, 2020
The World If Kind
All of us have seen so many postings of empty shelves at stores. We’ve seen postings of people hoarding products and forgetting that their neighbours are also impacted by COVID-19. But just as COVID-19 is bringing out the worst in some, it is bringing out the best in the kindest amongst us.
Here is the story of a random act of kindness that so helped the residents of Surex Community Services – specifically the Sheldon Caplan/Dentonia House.
There was pandemonium in grocery stores last week. Surex Community Services was having a hard time finding groceries and the basic necessities needed to feed and look after our group home residents. I had asked our Board members to consider shopping for or dropping off food to our homes. Pat S. – a longtime Board member – went to her local grocery store with our grocery list in hand. Of course, the shelves were empty. She was explaining her dilemma and Surex’s need to someone on the phone. Another shopper overheard the conversation. The wonderful Bethany gave Pat the items that she could and then went a step further – Bethany told Pat that she had some of the things that Surex CS was looking for at her home. If Pat was willing to wait she would go home and get the oatmeal, sugar and other things because Surex clients needed them more than she did. Wow!
I texted Bethany to thank her and her acts of kindness continued. She asked me to send her a list of other things we needed. She further texted that she could organize her friends to shop on our behalf – now that we can’t take our clients shopping this means so much.
Our clients are socially-isolated at the best of times. Too many people would rather ignore them so when someone like Bethany comes along it means the world to Surex CS and especially our clients. Thank you Bethany for sharing your groceries and your kindness with the residents of the Sheldon Caplan/Dentonia House. We think you are awesome. And when it is safe to do so we will high-five you in person but for now we send you virtual high-fives and our gratitude for showing the goodness and generosity that still abounds.