As we’ve started enjoying a beautiful spring and we’ve noticed leaf buds slowing waking up on our trees and vibrant green blades of grass showing up in our lawns, other beautiful changes have begun in our city. The dark cloud of negativity that has been looming over our city is slowly starting to drift away as tiny signs of kindness and community are popping up.
Over the past few weeks, social media posts have been showing up of Chestermere residents thanking fellow residents for acts of kindness. Such things have been people walking in our parks taking the initiative to clean up any garbage, cleaning up dog waste, helping someone when at a cash register and they have forgot their wallet, or even stopping to help when someone’s vehicle had broken down on the side of the road. The smallest act of kinds can do so much more than just affect the person that is being helped. When things of that nature are posted on social media, it truly does help build the morale of those that read it – and maybe even inspires the reader of the post to do something positive in our community. That sounds like a much better use of social media to me.
A specific story that recently showed up on Facebook is absolutely worth sharing. On March 29th 2016, Chestermere resident Kevin Blakeman posted the following story on a popular, but not always positive, Chestermere based Facebook page.
“So, we see lots of negative comments lately about the City and CUI, so might be a refreshing change to hear a positive one? My family spent some time on Easter Sunday picking up litter along our usual dog-walking route. From Windermere down Rainbow and back up by PW (Prairie Waters) School. I wanted my children to understand that behind the Chocolate Bunnies at Easter, there is a message that is missed by many these days. That is of self-sacrifice for others (ours was just some time and garbage bags).
We ended up with two big black garbage bags of litter. CUI won’t take them right? Should I get extra tags and leave them out and hope? Not clear bags so they would leave them I thought. Instead, I spoke on the phone today at 3:30pm with Janet at the City of Chestermere Parks dept. and explained the situation and that I had left the bags on my front step. She said she would call CUI right away. I got home from the office at 5:45pm and the bags were gone”.
These types of things happen more than is likely known. Residents thinking outside of themselves and doing things that give back to and better our city.
One group whose mission is to inspire and spread random acts of kindness is Hundreds and Thousands. This anonymous group has been spreading random acts of kinds throughout our city, but lately they did take a bit hiatus that did not go unnoticed by residents of Chestermere. March 16th, just as in the past, a message via Twitter came my way that read “Our sneaky crew is getting together to ramp up again. Nothing concrete yet, but he have good things coming. Chestermere is hurting and we want to be a part of bringing love back again”. With that….the waiting and watching began.
On the evening of March 29th, Deputy Mayor Christopher Steeves arrive home to find quite the surprise on his front steps. White lanterns filled with treats lined the stairs leading up to his front door with a letter that read:
“Dear Christopher Steeves,
Hundreds & Thousands is a little anonymous movement in Chestermere of folks who want to inspire acts of kindness. Today we want to celebrate YOU, city councillors and city staff! We think you have a challenging job, one that requires you to make hard decisions on behalf of our city. For that, we want to thank you and reflect our gratitude in a small way.
To do that, we have a special job for you to do. Would you be our Hundreds & Thousands Santa?
Here you’ll find a lantern full of goodies, one for you and each city councillor. There’s an extra one for Randy Patrick too. We think the world of all of you! Could you please deliver these for us? Thanks!
Secondly, you’ll find candy. Who doesn’t love candy! We hope that you’ll also be willing to put these candies in the lobby of city hall for the staff. We love them too!
Thanks so much for all you do and for helping us deliver these gestures of gratitude. Thank you also for helping us stay anonymous so that we can continue to enjoy inspiring kindness in our city.
Thank you!
Hundreds & Thousands”
An emotional Steeves posted photos and the following statement on Facebook to share this amazing surprise. “I have known for over a decade that I live in an amazing community! But this just totally reinforced that to me. From our local churches praying for us during this storm, to people giving me hugs and telling me are they behind me, and that they support council, but tonight this totally shocked, surprised, and overwhelmed me! Thank-you cannot adequately or sufficiently convey my thoughts and emotions, but it is the most meaningful statement I have. Thank-you to Hundreds and Thousands!”
As the news of this surprise spread and other council members received their lanterns, the following comments were made:
“Receiving the “lantern” of love and joy from Hundred & Thousands was a “light” that refreshed and rekindled the fire within me! It was so nice to feel appreciated and exciting to know we have such an awesome group that keeps a kind and loving eye on our city. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!” – Councillor Gail Smith
“I don’t know who this group is but their compassion and understanding is appreciated to no end. These are the kind of people that make you want to come back and serve your Community. These are folks that build on the positives and look forward to creating an exceptional City we can all be proud of and call home. To them and the great number of supportive Residents of Chestermere I say a heartfelt” Thank You.” – Councillor Stu Hutchison
“We have lived in this beautiful community for 24 years. We love this community. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the amazing colleagues I do. Thank you so very much for your thoughtfulness H & T!” – Councillor Heather Davies
“Hundreds and Thousands, once again bringing me to tears ❤ I love this City, and I also know that this job has had its bumps, but there are no better people that I would rather be on this journey with. From my mayor and council, who are truly more family than friend, to the wonderful neighbours that share this great City with me. That includes you H&T!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” – Councillor Jennifer Massig
Mayor Patricia Matthews added, ”I am honored to serve with such dedicated hard working people and I’m so thankful to this group for making such a fantastic gesture of support to us all. It warms my heart that we have such a great group in our community. I sure wish I could thank them in person!”
As many are doing their part to help bring smiles back to Chestermere and to lower everyone’s blood pressure, these types of acts deserve to be noticed and we know that there are many others doing great things in our community. Don’t forget to share those stories – you never know whose day you might make a little brighter!
