Canada Day is coming up! We figured that one fun way to celebrate this great country and its people would be to look back at some of the incredible things Canadians have done this year. In a country known for being nice, what’s more Canadian than acts of kindness? And this year was chock full of ’em. So let’s take a minute to reflect on what makes our country so wonderful… all the amazing people in it!
Here are 11 amazing acts of kindness we’ve seen from across Canada this year.
VANCOUVER FIREFIGHTERS LAUNCHED A MEAL DONATION CAMPAIGN
As if firefighters aren’t already doing enough to help others out. In early May, The Vancouver Firefighters Charity launched a program to fight food insecurity in the city. And given how much that struggle has been amplified by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we know their efforts made a difference.
TIM HORTONS DELIVERED FREE COFFEE TO THE FRONTLINES
Of course, the most Canadian company delivered on a super Canadian act of kindness. Right at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, Tim Hortons decided to donate a ton of free coffee to folks on the frontlines. And they even delivered it right to them. You rock, Timmies!
RYAN REYNOLDS DONATED PROFITS TO CANADIAN BARTENDERS
This Canadian actor is known for his kindness, as well as his hilarious Twitter account. So it was no surprise when he swooped in during COVID-19 to help out struggling Canadian bartenders. When all the bars and restaurants were closed because of the virus, a ton of folks found themselves out of a job. And Ryan Reynolds decided to donate 30% of the profits from his gin company directly to those folks. Thanks, Ryan!
BIG BROTHER CANADA DONATED THEIR PRIZE MONEY TO COVID-19 RELIEF
When Big Brother Canada was forced to shut down production mid-season thanks to the virus, they could have easily kept the unclaimed prize money to cover the cost of lost profits. But instead, they decided to donate all $100,000 to COVID-19 relief funds. A definite Canadian move from the Canadian version of the popular show.
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A TORONTO HERO STARTED A GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICE FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Torontonian Matthew Lombardi spent his time in quarantine coming up with a program to deliver groceries to medical workers. He created and ran an entire volunteer program that helped out frontline workers while they were busy helping the rest of us. It sure beats binging Netflix every day. So thank you, Matthew!
AND ANOTHER TORONTO HERO CREATED A FOOD RESCUE PROGRAM
Whew, looks like Toronto really churns out the Good Samaritans. Cause this Toronto hero, Tony Colley, created an entire program to help combat food insecurity in the city. It started as him packing up leftover food and bringing it to local shelters. But it quickly blew up into a major non-profit organization. You can get caught up on what they’ve been up to when you check out the website here.
CANADIAN STARS RAISED $8 MILLION FOR FOOD BANKS
Even the Canadian stars came together during the countries time of need to show kindness and give back. And the #StrongerTogether event featuring Michael Buble, Ryan Reynolds, Mike Myers, Drake, and more was a perfect example of that. All in all, they raised over $8 million dollars for Food Banks in Canada. Wow, that’s quite the chunk of cash.
SKYLINES LIT UP IN SUPPORT OF FRONTLINE WORKERS
All across the country, skylines have been lighting up with heart shapes on closed hotels for no other reason than to show frontline workers we stand behind them. And if that little boost of kindness doesn’t scream Canadian, we don’t know what does.
CALGARY STUDENTS CREATE A POSITIVITY HOTLINE FOR SENIORS AMID PANDEMIC
And they ended up on James Corden! Joy4All is accessible by anyone but is directed at one group in particular. Seniors have probably been hit the hardest by the isolation guidelines. Many of them have been unable to see friends and family, but thanks to the organizers, they have one more way to feel connected and thought of.
A HEARTWARMING EXCHANGE AT COSTCO WENT DOWN
In May, one of the uncountable acts of kindness happened at a Costco gas bar in Edmonton. A gas station attendant decided to pay for a customer’s gas, asking only that they ‘pay it forward’. Well, that person is the mom of TV star Nathan Fillion, and he decided to pay it forward by donating iPads to local hospitals.
A MAN DONATED 20,000 MASKS TO OTHER CALGARIANS
A Calgary business owner by the name of Chris Healey did a lot of great stuff when COVID first struck. Along with working with the University of Calgary on an education campaign to help those in need, Healey organized the shipment of PPE to be sent via his overseas supplier for groups of everyday people who need it most. He ended up donating over 20,000 masks to the city’s more vulnerable population.
Wow. Reflecting on all this really makes us proud to be Canadian. So keep up the great work everyone! And happy almost Canada Day!
