A Message from the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

We often hear of inspiring stories where one person goes out of their way to help out another. I was fortunate enough to witness this firsthand while managing the financial aid program at the school where I worked. A few years ago during the recession, I came across a family where the father had lost his job in the oil and gas sector and the family was struggling to manage their household expenses. The family had been long-standing members of this school community where their children had established friendships when they had to make the decision to leave the school as they were no longer able to pay for the school fees. Just before I was scheduled to have my final meeting with them, I had another family reach out to me as they wanted to provide support for our financial aid program, and I had mentioned that there was a family in need. Without hesitation, the one family wrote a cheque for $15,000 and asked me to clear this family’s outstanding school fees, allowing the children to remain at the school. When they received the news, the family was overwhelmed with gratitude and the parents openly wept in my office.

Although this was a grand gesture requiring significant financial contribution, I believe we can all practice small acts of kindness which often have little or no costs. In fact, there have been studies conducted that show acts of kindness can increase endorphins (brain’s natural painkiller), stimulate the production of serotonin (happy chemical), and reports that people feel an increase in their self-esteem. The positive effects do not stop with the giver or receiver of the act of kindness but it also positively impacts those that witness the act resulting in a domino effect.

Seek out opportunities to help every day… shovelling your neighbour’s sidewalk, giving up your seat on the bus, or any other acts of kindness. With one single act of kindness, we may not change the world but it can make a difference in someone’s world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message and feel free to reach me with your comments or questions at Doreen.Lee@bethanyseniors.com