Finding homes for pets and other 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 coming together in support of local charities. 

In Calgary, for 37 years, residents have been donating to the Calgary Food Bank through CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Food Bank Drive, raising more than $22 million. This year, from Dec. 2 to 15, join us for special broadcasts, events, auctions and online sales while helping us reach our goal of $1 million to the Calgary Food Bank. Or attend one of our coffee and mug sales to make a donation and receive this year's limited edition One Knight Only mug and coffee beans from Fratello Coffee Roasters.

A new report says food banks in Canada have seen a major surge in visits throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the high cost of living and ongoing economic disruption is bound to create countless new clients in the months ahead.

• Click here to donate to the Calgary Food Bank

Many of us have been impacted financially by the pandemic, limiting us in ways we might traditionally contribute. But there are many opportunities to spread generosity and kindness aside from making monetary donations. You can also put a smile on your face — and the faces of others — by spreading acts of kindness in your community.

Share your story with us 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. No act of kindness is too big or too small.

• See a full list of events happening throughout the month

Maybe you or someone you know picked up groceries for an elderly neighbour? Someone shoveled your walkway? Got a call from a long lost friend that made your day? 

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, News at 6  and the CBC Calgary's website and Instagram.

From Kaley Bill: 

I was helping out at the City of Calgary's Animal Services when they were short staffed. I learned they had a chicken in their care and was able to help them re-home her to the exotic/farm rescue I work with, Cobb's Adventure Park. The alternative was she was to be euthanized.

From Barbara Giannoutsos:

Every day, as an English teacher, I tow exams that need marking back and forth from work. Some nights are productive while others are dreams of grandeur. There is a student at my school who regularly holds two of the doors open at the front entrance to the school. It was one of those days of balancing and managing at least three bags, a backpack, a very necessary coffee, and a large, four-litre jug of water. I had completely forgotten about this student and when walking up the front steps, I spotted him and actually laughed aloud in sheer glee. He spotted me tottering with little grace and jumped over to the doors closer to me and opened it. This student asks nothing for this simple gesture, does it without an agenda. I hopeful that he realizes that the easiest of actions, like opening a door, makes the rest of the day go by with feelings of hope and kindness. I appreciate this student's selflessness more than he will ever know. He gives me hope that the future of our world is filled with young minds who realize the importance of acts of grace.

From Connie Ptak:

I was attending the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market with my family and realized one of my earrings that I made fell off. So I back tracked, went into one hut, asked the people running the tent if they had seen it but had no luck. I went into the next tent and asked the owner if he had seen this earring and the customer standing right beside me pulled the matching earring out of her pocket and said she found it in the parking lot. Pure magic. I gave her the earrings.

From Heather Vardy:

My husband and I drove to meet a volunteer from the Saskatoon animal shelter at the halfway point — a small town in Alberta. We picked up 13 cats and took them to the Bow Valley SPCA in Canmore so that they could find their forever homes. I have been a volunteer at this wonderful place for just over one year and I see such joy when our animals find their person.

From Darlene Pereira:

At our neighbourhood grocery store, there is a Christmas tree where the ornaments hanging from the tree are actually notes addressed to Santa Claus. These notes are from various people who may not otherwise receive Christmas gifts this year, unless customers remove an ornament/note from the tree, buy the item(s) suggested on the note, and attach the note on the wrapped gift to be handed into the grocery store. I took two of those ornaments from the tree, for a six- year-old boy and a single parent. It breaks my heart and I wish that we could buy gifts for all of those who may not otherwise receive Christmas gifts this year.

From Debra Larsen:

I did the stocking stuffers for three elderly people this year and I do things back home in Saskatoon as well with my family. We do Christmas baskets for a seniors home and I love giving when I can, even though we don't have much. Knowing someone got some love on Christmas makes me feel amazing. I also give to the homeless when I can and me and my sister this year on Christmas Eve are going to go hand out some doughnuts and coffee to the homeless. Little acts of kindness can go along way for someone.

Again — you can share your story with us of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year through our online form here. 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 You Are Human and You Need Cake cookbook
• A Sunnyside Milk Jar candle
• A $50 gift card to Bowtie Pizza
• Custom cookies from Cookie Momster YYC
• Chocolate gingerbread people from cōchu Chocolatier
• A custom CBC stocking from One Apparel
• A wooden CBC-engraved tree ornament
• A 12oz bag of One Knight Only coffee beans from Fratello Coffee Roasters
• A limited-edition One Knight Only coffee mug
• CBC Calgary winter swag (socks, toque, scarf)

Deadline to enter to win is Thursday, December 15 at noon MT.

• See the full schedule of events and more details about CBC Calgary's Make the Season Kind in support of the Calgary Food Bank here.