Neighbour saves the day when it pours and other random acts of kindness by Calgarians

Throughout the month of December, CBCstations across the countryinvite you to helpMake the Season Kindas we celebrate the kindness of others with special programming and acoming together in support of local charities.

In Calgary, for 36years, residents have been donating to the Calgary Food Bank through CBC/Radio-Canada's annual Food Bank Drive, raising more than $21million. This year, fromDec. 3 to 24, join us virtually for special broadcasts, events, auctions and online sales while helping us reach our goal of $1 million to the Calgary Food Bankfrom the comfort of your home.

• Clickhereto donate to the Calgary Food Bank

Put a smile on yourface and the faces of others by sharing your story of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year, and be entered to win a local prize pack. Your act of kindness may even be featured on CBC Calgary.Maybe you or someone you know picked up groceries for an elderly neighbour? Organized a virtual play date? Got a call from a long lost friend that made your day? Sewed homemade masks, or sent coffee to your local front-line workers?

No act of kindness is too big or too small.

Here are some of the wonderful stories we've received so far, with thanks to all who wrote or called in to CBC Calgary and even more, to all of those who are carrying outthese random acts of kindness in the community. We'll share more of these heart-warming acts that have been shared with usin the days ahead, on theCalgary Eyeopener, The Homestretch, the CBC Calgary's website and social media.

From Serena Wells:

"I was at work when it started to rain, I was so concerned that my basement would flood again. So after work, I drove home immediately and began emptying buckets of water pouring out from my downspouts. My neighbour Rob stuck his head out the door and asked how he could help. I merely said out loud that I wished I'd had something to extend the downspouts away from the house so the water would drain away from the house rather than straight to the foundation/basement. He said something, but it was raining so hard I barely heard him. I did hear a car door slam and he was gone.

"I was busy throwing buckets of water into the gutter away from my house, soaked to the bone in my wet dress. What seemed like moments later, Rob arrived in his work van, with threevery long PVCplumbing pipes. He helped me attach them to the drain spouts and pointed them away from the house. I was so grateful for his help and kindness. As I was expressing my gratitude, I looked down and noticed his bumper on his van was bent, and he looked at it and replied that he had hit a massive pool of water and under it a large pothole. I felt so badly, but he dismissed it as not a big deal. No worries. Rob and his wife Dayna (anddaughter Finley) are absolutely lovely neighbours and we are so grateful to know them and be living right next door to them."

From Amanda Evans:

"My elderly neighbour routinely trims the hedge between our front yards, mows my lawn and shovels the snow from my sidewalk. He is well into his 80s and I am 46 but that does not deter him. I so appreciate his kindness, it means so much to me."

From Laurie Keindel:

"I am a hairstylist in a seniors home. I'm on my 19th year of giving every client a personal gift for Christmas. Sometimes the gift gives everyone a big laugh. Some are cocktail kits that I joke are Christmas breakfasts. I have funny socks:'If you can read this, get me a beer.'It really warms my heart when a resident passes it along to say thank you to their caregivers. That's my favourite! It's an act of kindness that is like a perpetual motion machine. The stories come back to me in the new year."

From Michael Keindel:

"Five years ago, I lost my engineering job in the oil industry. It's kind of been a nightmare. But now I have the rewarding job of transporting students to their school. There are many rules about gift giving. But there is nothing in the books saying that I can't surprise them in my Santa suit on their last day before the holidays!"

FromLynette Jamed:

"I belong to a buy-nothing community group. Members give or ask for things from excess zucchini to clothes, books, furniture, toys, tickets, food, decorations, mending, you name it! Tracey Hewison in Deer Run is the leader and building relationships among neighbours has been her goal. Mission accomplished, I'd say. We are so grateful to be a part of this endeavour!"

FromKatherine McMorris:

"On June 26, my colleague Neal S.was driving onHighway 2 at an Airdrie turnoffwhen he witnessed a vehicle suddenly go off the road at a high rate of speed and plunge into a storm pond. The driver had suffered a medical event, and was in distress, in the partially submerged vehicle. Neal stopped, ran into the cold dirty water and provided first aid and reassurance until EMS and the fire department arrived. I am so proud of Neal acting selflessly to care for a stranger, and I'm certain his kindness meant a lot to the driver and his family."

From Stacy Laird:

"My sister and her family were hit with COVIDin October. We live about six hours apart so I couldn't drop food off. Thank goodness for Skip the Dishes! My brother and I sent them a gift card to try to keep their insanity during their isolation time."

From LauraSlaunwhite:

"I found out I was pregnant in January, and in February I found out it was twins. I have been on the receiving end of so much kindness, but from my neighbours, Dana and Phil, in particular. When the babies were born, they said call any time, and we have. I ran a screaming baby over to their house, only to have him return calm and happy. I frantically called for a thermometer when I was worried about the temperature and couldn't find ours. And most recently, they've been shovelling our sidewalk after every snowfall.

"They haven't said it is them, but we know it is, and having one less thing to worry about with four kids in the house including newborn twins has been an absolute blessing. Dana and Phil ask for nothing in return, but giving them a gorgeous gift basket would be very special."

FromSofia Batinic:

"My husband and I used to be really strict about school attendance with our kids. This year has forced us to slow down and relax, and recognize that sometimes our kids get overwhelmed and need a break. Missing a day of school once in a while isn't going to stop the planets spinning. If adults occasionally need mental health days, then why wouldn't kids too? They deserve that kindness."

From Debbie Hill:

"My neighbours gifted our boys with their old trampoline because their daughters had outgrown it. We wanted to pay them for it. Instead, they asked that we pass on the goodwill by making a donation to the food bank."

WATCH | Calgarians make a coffee run to help the Calgary Food Bank

Cars line up for coffee to kick off CBC's food bank drive

3 years ago

Duration 1:08

One Gray Knight coffee is back and Calgarians lined up bright and early to get theirs and contribute to the Calgary Food Bank.

Again you canshareyour storywith us of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year with an online formhereor by using the hashtag#CBCFeedsYYC on Instagram or Twitter. You can also share your act of kindness by calling and leaving a message for the Calgary Eyeopener at403-521-6209 or The Homestretch403-521-6244.

You'll be entered in a chance to winprize packs that include:

• Julie Van Rosendaal'sCookies I Have Lovedcookbook.
• A limited-editionMilk Jarcandle.
• A $50 gift card toBowtie Pizza.
• A 36-piece box of salted caramel chocolates fromMaster Chocolate.
• A chocolate gingerbread person fromcochu Chocolatier.
• A wooden CBC-engraved tree ornament.
• A 12-ouncebag of One Gray Knight coffee beans fromFratello Coffee Roasters.
• A limited-edition One Gray Knight coffee mug.
• CBC Calgary winter swag (retro socks, toque, scarf, mittens).

Deadline to enter to win is Friday, Dec. 17, at noon MT.

• See the full schedule of events, contests, auction items, partners and more for theCBC/Radio-Canada's annual Calgary Food Bank Drivehere.