A ‘random act of kindness’ that is making a big difference

By Gordon Lambie
A ‘random act of kindness’ that is making a big difference
(Photo : Courtesy)

When Dale Smith died suddenly in May of this year, his family asked those who knew him to do a random act of kindness in his memory. It has turned out to be a life-changing request for Gail and Terry Kelso, Gail’s sister Carol Wang, and a family of five from Poltava, Ukraine, who are now one month into living in a new home in Ottawa.

Thinking back to the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Gail recalled feeling compelled to help, but lost for how exactly to do that.

“It was awful, you felt like you wanted to do something but felt like you didn’t quite know what to do that would make a difference.”

In the end it was that call for an act of kindness, combined with some inspiration from her sister, who has a property management company, that led to the idea of hosting a family.

“She had an apartment opening up July 1,” Gail said, sharing that before long she and her husband were out collecting donations, and trying to figure out how to make a connection with a family in need.
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