‘Friends Helping Friends’ brings volunteers from CTV, Canada Safeway and the Calgary Food Bank together to help the city’s less fortunate.
For many Food Bank volunteers, they’re donating to a cause they once relied on.
Kim Wedgerfield knows what it's like to need the Foodbank. Nearly twenty years ago, Wedgerfield was hit by a drunk driver and suffered brain damage. She was later diagnosed with Huntington's Disease.
In a short period of time, the single mother of two went from being a successful C.E.O. to being disabled and in need of help.
“I had to come to the Food Bank and it was a difficult time,” says Wedgerfield. “As years went by, I was doing better and better and so I started volunteering at the Food Bank just trying to give back because of all the things I received here prior, and for my kids.”
Food Bank officials appreciate the contributions of Wedgerfield.
“She has been through so much and yet still comes to the Food Bank and volunteers,” says Morissa Choptain. “She volunteers with a number of other organizations and does so with a smile on her face.”
The birthday room at the Food Bank is one of Kim's favorite places because she remembers what it was like in their home when her children were little.
“I couldn't even give my kids birthday gifts,” remembers Wedgerfield. “So my daughter, remembering that she didn't have birthday gifts a couple of times, and I get together and we try and provide for this room because every kid really deserves to have a gift.”
The birthday room supplies a gift for the birthday child, cake mix and other items needed for a birthday party. Everything in the room is donated and volunteers prepare birthday bags.
“We build these bags, so that every kid has the opportunity to celebrate their birthday, even if their families have found themselves in a position where they have to use the Food Bank,” says Choptain.
Prior to her disability, Wedgerfield was a triathlete. She has not allowed her disability to hinder her efforts in the sport she loves and now trains as a para-triathlete.
“I swim using mostly one arm, cycle using one leg and I run using my canes and a prosthetic thing on my foot,” says Wedgerfield. “I've been able to compete for Canada at world championship races.”
For her courage and determination, and her efforts to help get food and birthdays bags to those who need them, Kim Wedgerfield is this week's Inspiring Albertan.
With files from Darrel Janz
