I’ve been thinking of writing my first blog entry for some time now, and finally am getting around to it. I have generated a list of topics such as choosing the correct drive mechanism, accessibility lift code requirements and all sorts of technical information chalked full of elevator speak.
This last weekend however, my blog priorities changed. My priorities changed.
I participated in a fundraiser titled the Battle for Bailey. We were trying to raise $15,000.00 to help out with the costs associated with cancer treatment for a teenage girl named Bailey. She’s a young lady of only 15 years and she is fighting the battle of her life. I’ve never met her, but feel like I have. When people speak her name their eyes light up and their hearts swell with love. This is something we should all aspire to.
If love could cure cancer she would have a clean bill of health. This girl is loved beyond compare.
So the fundraiser was planned. The community rallied, volunteers mobilized, businesses donated their products; and we pulled it off. We raised over $20,000.00, which I’m sure will be a welcome addition to the war chest assembled to fight this horrible disease.
The event was a night full laughter, tears, and love. But mostly love. Love for Bailey, love for each other, love for our little community. As the beer flowed and the music played I got to thinking “why has this cause had such an impact on me.” Then it hit me. While It felt great to be able to give this gift to the family, I had received something that was much greater than my efforts.
My faith in humanity was restored. I was seeing first hand the generosity of strangers. I was watching people do good with no personal gain on the horizon. I was witnessing the very best of mankind.
Life had thrown me a few curve balls over the last couple of years and I had become a bit cynical and jaded. This event cleansed my heart, and gave me a renewed purpose. I reconnected with my old service club (The Okotoks Kinsmen) and now feel more passionate than ever about helping others.
Thank you to all the volunteers, musicians, businesses and service clubs that made this event such a great success, but most of all thank you Bailey. You have reignited a fire in me that I had thought was gone.
If anyone would like to donate to Bailey’s cause they can do so via PayPal
While my blog will still have the odd elevator article, I have chosen to use this forum to talk about all the good that’s going on out there. On that note; up next (March 28th) is the is the 16th annual Sno-Pitch tournament hosted by the Okotoks Kinsmen Club. Funds raised from this event will go towards Alberta Easter Seals and Kids Sport.
Be good to each other, and be a positive memory in someone’s life.
“Our legacy is not found in all the ‘stuff’ we’ve accumulated on our life’s journey. It’s written in the memories of those whose lives we’ve touched along the way.” ― Justin Young