A Helping Hand

     It's been a while since I last updated 'the shoebox'. There has been great activity over the months with 'the shoebox'.
      Life just keeps moving forward. Every day we are reminded how much fun Jon was and how much we miss him. I answered my first calls from people who did not know Jon had passed. Their grief intensified my sadness.
     "The Shoebox" has been busy.
It has been used to help Cancer Survivors with a donation to Hearth Place in Oshawa. Each time they open the door the volunteers perform a multitude of 'random acts of kindness' for families dealing with cancer. Jon never had occasion to visit Hearth Place but he would have loved its purpose.

     People have so many different 'wishes' and needs; some are small, some big but all are quite important.
Denise, an Oshawa resident and a working Educational Assistant with the DDSB is a cancer survivor who is battling once again. For Christmas she wished to create memories for her two daughters. Denise is a single parent and memories are so important. Many Durham District employees answered the plea, put forth by another EA. 'The Shoebox heard and rallied as well. Between treatments Denise focusses on her girls and her community work with a food bank. We at 'the shoebox' were awed by Denise's thank you. She used the 'shoebox' money to pay auto insurance. In today's world it is a necessity for an active and normal life; especially if you are a teenager. So in February we sent along another gift.
     Denise made me think about the costs (you can't place a value on the emotional costs not covered) most patients and their families shoulder. From March 2010 until July 2011 we journeyed to Sunnybrook more than 87 times. It's 53 kilometers door to door and the parking was always $23. The price of gas of course varied. I was once again reminded how lucky we were to have 'a shoebox'.

This is Neil and Karen. A friend called us to see if 'the shoebox' could help Neil and his wife Adele with travel costs. They were traveling to Australia for what might be his last trip home. His family had organized a reunion and every one was coming. Neil doesn't have cancer, he has Parkinson's Disease. He was diagnosed 12 years ago. Neil was a master cabinet maker who dreamed of designing and creating a guitar in retirement. The tremors spelled the end to a career and a dream.
     Neil and a friend organized a Parkinson's Support Group in Uxbridge, On. The 25 active members meet once a month to hear speakers, discuss the disease and organize fund raising opportunities. The funds are donated to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 'The Shoebox' was delighted to help. Neil is another 'pay it forward' person. Jon would have like him very much.

Hi Shannon,

Adele called me earlier today in joyful tears. She is so grateful & thought you were wonderful.

I wished she had known Jon too.

On the weekend I recalled sitting at our local pub. Neil Young's "Long May You Run" was playing on the sound system. It always makes me think ofJon & I quietly raised my beer to toast him. It was shortly after, like maybe later that night, I found out about Adele's situation. Co incidence? I think not.

Jon may not have had a long run on this earth among us, but he will run long within us & continues to look down on us & touch us.....especially when we're having a beer!??!!!

Ken said I should put this on your blog but I'm not sure how to do it. So if you want, put it there.

Thank you for your generosity & for thinking of others who need a lift.

Always

Bev

       There are two more individuals 'the shoebox' helped since Christmas. The next blog will tell the stories.