Video: Bakfiets.nl being made in Holland

As we progressed through our planned 7 days of giving, we began to see its true power because we saw a need – and a way we could help - that we hadn’t before.

Earlier in the year, we heard a story about two children, ages 11 and 14, who had lost their mother who then moved in with their Grandmother.  It resonated with us not only because of the children but their financial hardship – they couldn’t afford the cost of the taxi to visit their dying mother so volunteers stepped in to help. Something just kept on nagging us about this situation. There is complete loss of innocence of children when they have lost a parent, and to have neither parent in their lives, and a phenomenal Grandmother holding the last shred of their family together, just meant we had to do something. 

But what could we do? 

We decided to let go of our initial plans for day 6 & 7 days of giving and dedicate ourselves to finding a way to help.  Initially, we contacted the palliative care residence where the mother had passed away and asked if they could contact the Grandmother to see if she would be open to receiving a care package and some gifts for the kids. A few days later we heard the news that she had accepted our offer to help. 

We didn’t have much time before Christmas, so we went straight to work and as we started to write a list of what to buy.  As we were writing the list, it occurred to us that we could feed the family for longer if we asked for help from others.  So Andrew, quickly sent an email to his colleagues from his Rotary Club (a non-profit, which is essentially a global network of community volunteers) to see if anyone would be interested in contributing.  Seconds later, there was an overwhelming response to help. So we decided organize an evening to collect non-perishables/donations and in recognition of their overwhelming show of support we changed it from our initiative to a Rotary Club initiative (with contributions from us). 

After sorting through all of the donations, repacking them all in boxes to be ready for delivery, we went off to buy more groceries, household staples (e.g., detergent, soap, shampoo…) and gift cards for the kids (Grandmothers suggestion). After re-packing the remain items in boxes, and writing the Christmas cards we were finally ready for the delivery on Saturday morning.

The next morning, when we arrived at their proud, but very modest apartment, it was clear how much of a struggle life must be for them. Through a few short conversations, and looking into the grandmothers eyes, it was clear that she was working tirelessly to give everything she possibly could to her grandchildren. I admired her courage, and her willingness to admit she needed some help – for the children’s sake.

I cannot describe the look in the Grandmothers eyes when I kept returning with another box (total of 6 large boxes and one basket).  It was probably about 2-3 weeks of food including a Christmas dinner.   As I placed the last box on the floor, I could see that it was almost overwhelming for her …then it occurred to me, it may not have been what we gave, but rather the act itself demonstrated that there are people in this world, even strangers, who care for them and that they are not forgotten. 

Less than 3 years ago, shortly after giving birth, I (Kendra) had massive complications. I went in for a simple procedure, kissing my newborn and husband, and ended up losing more than half my blood – with my husband and newborn son watching in despair, and woke up, realizing I had almost died, and I was unable to move. My complications were beyond just blood loss, and I would face months of crippling pain, I began by only taking our son around the block, and was then able to get further. If it weren’t for a few blood transfusions, I would never have been able to get out of bed as quickly as I did, or pick up our son. All of those kind souls, who donate blood, so that others can live, is an incredibly generous gift.

So today,  Andrew gave blood. It will end up being a Christmas tradition, and I am hoping next year, I will be cleared to donate blood too.

Do you love getting Christmas cards? How many people still do it? We seem to receive more mass e-mail greetings than anything else, nothing wrong with that. But what if, you are alone, you might have just moved, or maybe, you just don’t have anyone to share the holiday’s with.

We decided to send a card to each occupant of old houses, and condo’s we have lived in. I know, sounds a little weird, but, we thought it might brighten someone’s day. Maybe, just maybe, it will inspire someone else to do the same. The Holiday’s aren’t just for family, it really is about reaching out to strangers, neighbours, and colleagues.

It is sometimes the simplest things that get overlooked. This park in St. Lazare is used everyday, almost all year round, by all the kids in the neighborhood. The sand has been covered for months with leaves and pine needles, in fact, it had been covered all summer too.  The kids complained that there was no longer sand to play in.

As you can tell, you can’t even see the sand underneath.

We packed the Bakfiets, and off we went.

It was a beautiful warm day, and no one was out. Taking the initiative and raking the leaves and pine needles is what we did. We don’t believe in complaining when the simple solution is to just do it. And too often, as Canadians, we expect cash-strapped governments to do everything for us when really it should be a community-driven initiative. That way, we all get to enjoy the park and St. Lazare can continue to invest more in bicycle lanes (which are amazing given the size of the community…more on that to come).

After the clean up, the bakfiets was packed up again.

Have a great day, we know the kids are having one at the park!

Since Andrew is a Rotarian, and the city of Hudson asked if the Rotary club of Hudson/St. Lazare would like to participate in this years Christmas parade, we jumped on board and decided to organize, participate and co sponsor it.

Having never participated in an event such as this, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, nor did we realize how much work it was.  We have a new appreciation for those who build floats from scratch!

The Rotary, whose motto is service above self, rely on donations, members volunteering and business sponsorship to support their humanitarian projects both locally and abroad.  The Hudson/St- Lazare club is relatively new, and gaining more members and visibility in the community was the club’s main agenda. Not many know that the Rotary does a great deal abroad and locally.

The weather was not looking too good, so we tried our best to weather proof the decorations (the bikes, being designed in Holland by Azor, are, after all, built to live in the rain).

We were to arrive at the High School an hour before the parade started and it was already raining but it didn’t dampen our Christmas spirit!

We were prepared with all rain gear and elf hats and some top notch candy canes for the kids.

As the Rotary got into place, the real downpour began causing a slight delay in the start of the parade.

By the time the parade started, We got a “little” wet, ok soaked – well everyone except our little man who was warm, cozy & dry in the bakfiets. Lucky for us, some great caroling from the float ahead of us kept our spirits high and we got our Christmas groove on.

By the time we finished, we had handed out well over 600 candy canes, waved, smiled, and met the whole town, before we arrived at the community center with the marching band and Santa.

It was a blast, and because we were walking and biking, we were not only approachable, but more people stopped to chat with us than if we were on a float just waving!

Our goal was to only go shopping to fill the actual box up, which we did.

Hope everyone donates a couple of cans this season, every can makes a difference!

The Urkai van is very white and still looks rather naked! If you see this van parked, there is a Bakfiets and other bikes being ridden around the area. Tweet us, Facebook us, and well, test one out.

We shared the area with a tourist bus, and had to stop and let them all take photos! Plus, we somehow got into an engagement photo – hope they send us those!

Montreal was great fun, we still have to remember to take more photos! Let us know if you want to see us in your area.

Urkai Team

Spotted – a trike! Very cool!