A central Alberta woman in need of some warmth found it in the generosity of the community.
Donna McCrimmon had been missing skirting on her trailer since last winter, due to wind and bad weather. Lately, it’s been so cold, she has had to wear two pairs of thick socks in her home in Clive, where she lives by herself.
“Last winter was so very cold. Really didn’t want to live like that again.
“It was so cold, and trying to keep the heat up was hard knowing that the heat bill was coming,” she said this week, adding she lives on a pension and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped.
The 57-year-old woman got in touch with a Red Deer moving company.
The business gives back to the community with rescue missions. The missions include helping someone move for free or stuffing a trailer with donated items at Christmas.
On Sunday, the business owner and about 11 volunteers headed to Clive to help McCrimmon. In two hours, they were able to install new skirting and help the woman cover her bare pipes so they don’t freeze.
The moving company put out a call for raw materials, such as wood, and the volunteers bought tools and supplies, such as screws, to do the job.
When they arrived, they realized McCrimmon was without furniture. Before the day ended, she got a new used couch, a table, chairs and a dresser.
“I feel blessed … still can’t believe there was someone out there that wanted to help me. I’m still crying over the help I got,” she said.
The volunteers also built the woman a dog house for her two pets.
The Clive woman said she has been playing catch up with bills since a Revenue Canada scam in August.
“I had to go to a food bank in Lacombe last week. I don’t have gas, phone, cable or internet,” she said, adding Christmas is going to be tough this year.
The helpers have boosted her mental health, she said.
Editor’s note: This story was revised at 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2019.
Do you know someone who needs help this holiday season? Reach out at mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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