Unbelievable, horrific and devastating seem to be key words we are hearing lately on our televisions and reading in the papers.

Without dismissing the impact these awful events have on us, I have been moved to think about those less fortunate than I and have also been quite thankful for what we have. In that spirit, I contacted a few of our local businesses in Silver Heights to see what they are doing to help others and was pleasantly surprised and impressed with all their generosity.

Next time you desire a fresh cup of coffee, try San Vito on the corner of Mt. Royal Road and Portage Avenue. For every bag of coffee sold or used at this local coffee shop, 30 cents is donated to the Rotary Club in San Vito, Costa Rica to supply schools with computers and supplies.

Both of our churches at the corner of Ness Avenue and Mt. Royal are busy caring for others. Silver Heights United Church has joined hands with St. Matthews Maryland Community to supply toys and warm scarves, toques and mittens to West End children. They also organize a ‘Nutrition Bingo’ where 20 bags of ingredients for a healthy pasta dinner are collected and donated.

St. Stephen’s and St. Bede’s Lutheran Church made a cool donation of goats to citizens in Third World countries at Christmas and also collected money to educate Third World orphans.
Our local Foodfare (which, frankly, is very well known for its excellent meat) has always been very generous with helping neighbourhood schools fill hampers. The charities it supports are too many to list —from the Children’s Hospital to community clubs.

Even our local gym, Image Fitness for Women, sees the generosity of Winnipeggers. Each time Angie (the owner) puts out boxes for Winnipeg Harvest or sets up coat racks for donations, within hours the boxes and hangers are overflowing.

I think as we get older the saying, ‘It’s better to give than to receive’, really does become more important to us. Especially when we see how crazy this world is at times.
It’s good to know that we don’t need a pocket full of money to help. Just opening a door, giving a small compliment or a great big smile can go a very long way in brightening this sometimes dark world we all live in.

Virginia Sperl is a community correspondent for Silver Heights.