Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Tragedy inspires kindly deeds

City woman gets Facebook response

By: Nick Martin

Posted: 12/18/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

The 27 acts that Christine McIntyre will perform for 27 families over the next few days won't change the unbelievable tragedy of last Friday in Connecticut in any way, but they'll make some peoples' lives just a little better.

Every one of those acts will honour the memory of the seven adults and 20 Grade 1 children slain in their Newtown, Conn., school.

Related Items

Articles
- Vigil for a lost little one

And there was every sign Monday that people were taking up her idea.

"There's nothing I could do that would equate that amount of hurt and pain. I'm going to do 27 acts for 27 families -- this is my goal," the 31-year-old East Kildonan mother of two preschoolers said Monday.

McIntyre and her sister went to church Sunday -- not a church either attends, but they felt the need.

"The names (of the Newtown victims) were released, and I had a cry," she said. "I still had this feeling I needed to do something."

She recalled being at a pizzeria on a New Year's Eve with newborn son, Colin, and the waiter saying an older couple had covered her family's tab because they remembered what it was like to be young parents.

That inspired McIntyre's idea.

She created her Facebook page (http://on.fb.me/V42fAu) by 10 p.m. Sunday, and by Monday morning, she and four-year-old daughter Isla had already handed out four Tim Hortons gift cards in envelopes.

On the Facebook site, Erin Harder posted: "I'm heading out later today to pick up some Christmas gifts. I'll be sure to do something nice for someone while I'm at the mall :)."

Bobbi Walker posted a message: "On Saturday, I donated money to the hospital here so they can get gifts for the long-term patients that unfortunately get nothing from their families for Christmas... I believe everyone deserves a little something at Christmas."

"I believe that kindness can change the world," wrote Deborah Barnum.

"I was thinking Tim's gift cards or Superstore gift cards in small amounts, or shovelling someone's driveway," wrote Erin Carrasco.

Said Brenda Marion-Gerula: "For Christmas Eve, my family and I are going to my husband's work (nursing home) and giving a card to each resident we visit, especially visit those that do not have families close by, or families that are too busy to make time to spend time with their person in the nursing home :(."

McIntyre emphasized this is about helping others, not about her.

She tells everyone: "All are welcome to share this and invite others. Spread this around and let's build a community of good actions, remind each other that darkness always gives way to the light."

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 18, 2012 A3

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.