'A new beginning': Calgary family in need helped by local charity
A group of volunteers spent their Saturday morning outfitting a Calgary home with new appliances, furniture and food for a family in need.
Stephen's Backpacks Society, an organization that helps those experiencing homelessness, led the furnishing charge.
The group pitched in their time to set up a home for a family of four fleeing domestic violence. That family recently left Calgary's Discovery House.
"To move out with your kids into an empty home with a few makeshift beds and try to furnish it…I can't even imagine what that would be like," organizer Nancy McPhee told CTV News. "It's just so wonderful to give a family a new beginning."
The group paired with company Kidoodle.TV to bring in new beds, shelves and appliances. They even donated a barbecue and television.
Staff members spent their morning working on the home. They left Saturday afternoon, before the family came back.
"Because we're not doing this for a 'thank you,'" McPhee said. "But I'd love to be a fly on the wall (when the family comes home)."
Stephen's Backpacks Society has outfitted almost three dozen homes in a similar fashion throughout the last 16 years. It's also helped thousands of underprivileged Calgary children.
"It's just like a heartbeat that keeps beating louder and louder, and I think it's because of wonderful people that come alongside and say, 'what can we do to help?'" McPhee said.
Volunteer Clara MacRaild says pitching in made her weekend.
"Being able to give back to the community in this way is so impactful," she said.
She's part of Kidoodle.TV, which is also giving the family vouchers for free food for a year.
"This is exactly what we need to be doing more of," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.