December 2, 2009 - 8:09am
By Michael Briones
Kindness, generosity and the simple act of caring are qualities we can expect from a group of future leaders at Vancouver Island University.
The Sport, Health and Physical Education (Shape) Applied Leadership class of professor Les Malbon has recently shown an admirable act of kindness that will help bring smiles to homeless people in Nanaimo and Comox Valley this Christmas.
The class was touched by a presentation made by VIU Sociology student Chantal Stefan, the founder as well as the heart and soul of the non-profit group called Everyone Deserves A Smile (EDAS). The group organizes care packages that are distributed to the homeless during Christmas.
Stefan’s passion, dedication, and determination captured the hearts of the students, who marvelled at the efforts of this grassroots endeavour which aims to simply bring a smile to the faces of the many homeless in the community and make them feel some sense of significance through the kindness and generosity of others.
The class decided to do something for EDAS. The students collected money and presented it to Stefan last week.
“I’m always caught off-guard by the openness, kindness and the response coming from people,” said Stefan. “It’s unbelievable. In a world that’s pretty heavy sometimes, it’s amazing to see this pure kindness come out. It just shows that we can move mountains.”
Some students have gone out of their way to help promote EDAS using their connections in the community as well as talk about it with their parents and friends. One student had her boyfriend in the Canadian navy donate socks. Another asked her parents who work at Coastal Credit Union to include EDAS as a recipient of their fundraiser for non-profit organizations. Some students have also volunteered to help EDAS this holiday season.
“What inspired me was Chantal’s way of being real with the situation, understanding the needs of the people and putting it into the real picture,” said Christine Goulay, who presented Stefan with a dinner-for-two gift certificate.
“She touched my heart and I really feel compelled to be part of her project.”
Stefan said while she may be an inspiration to the students, she also draws inspiration from the kindness and generosity shown towards EDAS.
“It’s what keeps me going,” said Stefan. “So many times in this life, in this line of work I think, ‘Is it really making a difference?’ So when I get these moments of caring from other people it carries me forward. They become my leaders and my inspiration. The benefit is two-fold. That’s the magic of giving and being kind to each other. I’m absolutely grateful.”
EDAS is looking for volunteers to help the homeless by baking, decorating, and putting together Christmas packages. The goal is to make 500 care packages this season and hand them out on the streets of Nanaimo, Comox Valley and Victoria.
Chantal said more volunteers will be needed Dec. 21 to put Christmas packages together and hand them out to the homeless. She hopes each package will contain a hat, toque, mitts, scarf, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush.
“We hope to give away 50 to 80 packages in downtown Nanaimo, and more to the Soup Kitchen and Citizen Advocacy,” said Chantal. “People can offer to help bake or donate cash or items for the packages.”
Anyone wishing to drop off donations in Nanaimo can do so before Monday, Dec. 18 at The Keg Restaurant, 350 Robson – Mon. to Friday, 2 to 4:30 p.m., and The Purified Water Store, 6359 Hammond Bay Rd., beside the Brick.
To register to be part of these Kindness Care Packaging projects, or if you wish to make a donation, please contact Chantal Stefan at 250-618-0054.
Tags: In the Community
