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Page 12 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, March 3, 1999 GOOD SAMARITANS Family Supported Fire Victims V/hose Home was Destroyed by Michelle Wyton Staff Writer The support was overwhelming. Thai's how Marion Hockney described how the community responded to her effort to collect XTwirt Warming Thanks owned 14-30 a.m. at satiisES lilies. Marion Hockney I Tii.re are no! enough «t»*" "fesses, schools, very impressed » » " „„ny people to menl S5Sr;;::: kwMyb od,e,se f orthe I Wd"nations they h»*e8«" os ' ; and i fur sr;-v;=-ym-^ towmMviiieBurnVicl ^ donations for two families whose home was destroyed by fire in December. Madeline Kemp lived in one of the apartments apartments with her husband, Brent Gilliland, and their daughter, Elisha-Ann. The other apartment belonged to her sister, Trina, and Trina's four-year-old son. Both families arc now settled into new apartments, apartments, but Madeline Kemp says if it wasn't for the kindness of the Hockney family gathering donations for them, it would have been a very sad Christmas. "There are not enough words to say thankyou to the Hockney family and everyone who made donations," she said. "We had a good Christmas and got everything we needed for our new apartments." The Hockneys didn't want any thanks for organizing the donation drive. They were just pleased the community responded so well. "The support was overwhelming," overwhelming," said Marion Hockney. "We had to get a trailer in here within a couple of hours because the office was getting packed with donations. By the second day we needed a second trailer." About $4,600 was raised and donations included clothing, food and furniture. Last week, the entire Hockney family was recognized for their random act of kindness that made a tremendous difference in the lives of the two families. HELPING OTHERS -- The Hockney family of Bowmanvillc were quick to come to the aid of two families whose homes were destroyed by fire in December. Pictured above are (from left) Madeline and Elisha-Ann Kemp, who lost their home. With them are members of the Hockney family - Marion Hockney, Taylor Doiron, Darrin, Brandi and Bob Hockney and Robin and Casey Doiron. Orono Fuel and Lumber, Landmark Furniture, Dykslra's Delicatessen and Food Market, King Street Bar and Grill and The Canadian Statesman all contributed to the prize package the Hockney family received. They were picked as winners of our February "Random Acts of Kindness" promotion. The family was nominated by Madeline Kemp and Brent Gilliland. Random Acts of Kindness are Alive and Well in The following is a list of some of the other "Good Samaritans" who were praised by their neighbours and friends for performing "random acts of kindness" kindness" in Clarington. They wrote to The Statesman in response to a contest we held during February. And, although the persons listed below were not selected to receive our prize package, they're all winners in our view. The following arc some of the submissions submissions we received. my neighbourhood watch dog when we go away. She surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of mini-carns a while back. Then, when my husband and I were both sick, she went and got a prescription for us. I call her a sweetheart. sweetheart. --Jessie Mostert "My next door neighbour, Mrs. Winnifred Brown, has lived beside me for 30 years with never an unkind word being uttered. She picks up my mail and keeps an eye on my house when I am away. She has lived in Maple Grove and Bowmanvillc most of her life, is well known and respected by everybody. She volunteers for Meals on Wheels, is active in Maple Grove United Church Women, Maple Grove Women's Institute and Clarington Older Adults' Association. She willingly willingly participates in all their events. Her kindnesses to young and old alike arc too numerous to mention. She is always ready to lend a helping hand. At Christmas time, she shares her Clarington Christmas goodies with her neighbours. neighbours. Her cheery smile and warm personality personality help brighten a dull day. She is affectionately known as "Win" and her winning ways endear her to. all with whom she comes in contact. I am very grateful for the kindness she continues to bestow upon me. • -- Eugene Dobbs "Johnny Schoonderbeek lives in the hamlet of Zion/Mitchcll's Corners. Never a week goes by that he hasn't done numerous acts of kindness for family, friends, neighbours, and strangers. In the autumn, he spends countless hours raking leaves for many of his neighbours. Winter finds him shovelling their driveways. Any time of year, you can find him bettering the environment by keeping the roadsides free of garbage. He is always hosting and organizing events for others. He usually docs these things anonymously. anonymously. I think it would be great to have him recognized for being the great person that he is. -- Corinne Von De Grootevheen I am taking the liberty of recognizing Ruth and Dan Gira'rdi as many other people would agree that this caring couplé brighten the days of the elderly, lonely, those suffering from injuries, accidents or poor health and shut-ins who need assistance. They prepare and deliver hot meals and if a person needs a ride to appointments, they have helped. The senior citizens have enjoyed a banquet and entertainment each month that they have participated in for the seniors' enjoyment. They take time to volunteer for Community Care, taking a group to a coffee of tea break in the afternoons. They visit people people in hospital, giving them all a lift and conveying sympathy to those going through a sad time. Sometimes, they brighten the day with a change of scenery for those who arc shut-in. Also, Ruth cavasscs and assists selling daffodils for the Cancer Society. --Bernice Colville "I was having an angina attack and was waiting for a taxi. A man driving a brown truck must have noticed something something was wrong and stopped beside me a second time. He showed his police officer's badge (He was off- duty.) and, after driving us to hospital, lie called Ralph, of Clarington Taxi, who was about to kick the door in to help us." --Beatrice Blake "On the way to the airport after Christmas, we mailed our snow removal contract. Driving home on Jan. 5, we felt confident that the driveway driveway would be cleared. Subsequently, we learned that it was our neighbour, Neil Bain, who had used his snowblower snowblower to clear the way for us to get to the door." --Margaret Williams "I have been lucky enough to live at the Forcsirce Building on Liberty St. North and have a very special friend and neighbour. Her name is Elsie Davis, She has gone out of her way above and beyond being a friend and neighbour. She has always been there when I am ill and has been with me in hospital. She also has helped another neighbour in this building who is ill and has come with us to many medical tests and appointments and expects nothing in return. Her kindness and moral support is priceless. She is one in a million. --Elizabeth Wardcll $11.5 billion more is a real shot in the arm for our healthcare system. Healthcare is Canadians' most cherished program. That's why over the next five years, we're committing an additional $11.5 billion to healthcare. This investment will provide the provincial and territorial governments with substantially more money to deal with critical healthcare concerns, such as emergency room delays and waiting lists for surgery. At the same time, we're investing $1.4 billion into other health priorities like prevention and research for new treatments and cures. Canadians deserve a healthcare system they can depend on. We know there's still a lot of work to do, but we're committed to getting the job done, no matter what it takes. Budget '99 A STRONG BEGINNING TO A LONG TERM PLAN For more information about the 1999 Budget or on other Government of Canada programs and services call 1 800 O-CANADA (1 800 622-6232) TTY: 1 800 465-7735 or visit our Web site at www.canada.gc.ca Canada "l have a very kind neighbour. She is