Throughout our second annual 12 Days of Kindness, we've heard stories of caring and compassion, heartache and loss, triumph and hope. We recognized simple acts, lent a helping hand and made some wishes come true, but we couldn't have done it without the generous sponsors and everyone who took time to send in a nomination.
This year's 12 Days of Kindness may have come to an end, but you can still enjoy all the smiles, hugs and tears by watching each day of kindness in the videos listed below.
Make sure you have some tissues nearby.
1. A big surprise for a family whose daughter needs brain surgery
On the first day of kindness, we surprised 12-year-old Hailey Gauthier and her family. At the time the video was filmed, Hailey was preparing for brain surgery at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. Hailey's mom Mel said the surgery went very well. Doctors were able to remove 90-per-cent of the mass that was growing on her left temporal lobe. Everyone is back at home and Hailey is recovering.
2. We cooked up a sweet surprise for this darling cookie baker
On the second day of kindness, we met 86-year-old Margaret Donaldson. Every Christmas, Margaret spends weeks baking Scottish shortbread cookies to raise money for an orphanage for children with special needs in Mexico. Her reaction when we walked in the door was priceless!
3. We thank a PSW who goes above and beyond for her clients
On the third day of kindness, we left Sheila Mirabella speechless (which is a rare sight, we are told!). Sheila has helped countless families and continues to improve the lives of those who are most vulnerable and we love her for it.
4. Kettle campaign volunteer gets an early birthday present
On the fourth day of kindness, we ambushed Peter Schmut, a long-time volunteer at the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle Campaign. This jokester continues to make customers smile at the Food Basics on Lasalle and he said he is really enjoying his new winter boots!
5. Cancer took both her parents this year, son in chemo
On the fifth day of kindness, we visited Lisa Anderson and her son Jakob, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. After losing both her parents to cancer within six months of each other, 2017 has proven to be the most difficult year in Lisa Anderson’s life. We are glad we were able to bring a little sunshine back into her life.
6. They saved her life, so we crash a meeting to say thank you
On the sixth day of kindness, we delivered an act of kindness for the staff of Monarch Recovery Services, but we also surprised the woman who nominated them at the same time. Sherry Fillion said her and her daughter are getting a lot of use out the hockey nets!
7. She and her doggy bring joy to a whole neighbourhood, so they return the favour
On the seventh day of kindness, we recognized Karen Lindquist, the caring neighbour who never asks for anything in return. Her little doggy, Kalin, is her life so we surprised them both after their appointment at the Chelmsford Animal Hospital. Warning: This video contains a lot of puppy cuteness!
8. His small gesture meant the world to them, we return the favour
On the eighth day of kindness, we proved that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference in someone's life. Waste Management employee Ryan Murray took time out of his busy day to cheer up a family who has gone through some hard times. The plan was to surprise him and the family that nominated him, but Ryan turned the tables on us with gifts of his own. This triple surprise will melt your heart.
9. He raises money for charity in lieu of gifts, we surprise him and all his classmates
On the ninth day of kindness, we barged into class with a special guest to surprise 8-year-old Cameron Paquette and his classmates at Valley View Public School. At the age of five, Cameron decided he didn't want to receive birthday gifts anymore. Instead, he asked his friends and family to make donations to the Infant Food Bank and he hopes to inspire his peers to do the same.
10. We surprise shoppers with free tickets
On the tenth day of kindness, we perform a truly random act of kindness by handing out tickets to the Sudbury Theatre Centre production of A Christmas Story to shoppers at the New Sudbury Centre.
11. Doctors said he wouldn't live to see his third birthday, today he turns eight!
On the eleventh day of kindness, we gave Josh Beyers a birthday party fit for a superhero! Josh has spinal muscular atrophy and wasn't expected to live to see his third birthday. We are so happy we were able to celebrate with this remarkable young man and his entire family. Happy 8th birthday Josh!
12. Kids' bedroom makeover makes single mom's year
One the twelfth day of kindness, we snuck into a family's home to give two little boys bedroom makeovers! Shannon Denault is a single mom, works full-time as a personal support worker and is putting herself through school to become a pediatric nurse. The family has been through some hard times this year. Thanks to the generosity of a past act of kindness recipient who wanted to pay it forward and Ashley Homestore North, Shannon was able to give her boys the Christmas they deserved.
We hope that by sharing these stories of kindness, it will inspire others to perform acts of kindness of their own.
Sudbury.com will back in January with even more acts of kindness. Until then, you can watch all our acts of kindness, including last year's 12 Days of Kindness, at Sudbury.com/aok.
