A life lesson came full-circle when three Red Deer boys who baked cookies as a Safe Harbour fundraiser got to meet some of the people they were helping.
Carina Moran and her sons, Daniel, Noah and Liam, shared a poignant moment on Saturday while bringing $2,272 to the shelter that they raised from cookie sales.
At first, the Gull Lake-area family was admittedly “a little nervous” about meeting some Safe Harbour clients.
Oldest brother Daniel wrote on the Caring Cookie Co.’s Facebook site: “When we drove in, there were many homeless people sitting on the steps. It was very sad to see. But you shouldn’t be scared to sit by a homeless person…
Soon, the boys were engaging them in conversation.
Daniel recalled on Facebook: “We asked Albert if he wanted to be in the photo he smiled happily and said, ‘Yes,’ but also said ‘Let me put my shoes and hat on so I look nice.’ My heart was broken (that) he felt like a nobody…
“We have to treat homeless people with more respect. It’s a lesson we all have to learn,” wrote Daniel. He was glad to meet a shelter worker who was once homeless herself, but kicked her addiction, and is now helping people at Safe Harbour.
Carina said her sons learned it’s possible to help people turn their lives around.
“They realized they may look homeless, but they are still human beings… Albert is somebody’s grandfather, Angel is somebody’s mom,” she added.
The Caring Cookie Co. was formed by the Morans after Noah noticed a homeless man in the Superstore parking lot, asked his parents some questions, and wanted to raise money for Safe Harbour.
Their cookie-making process suffered during COVID lockdown rules, and has now wrapped up, said Carina.
But her sons are eager to continue fundraising for Safe Harbour in other ways, including through a benefit concert featuring local musician Mike Szabo, who’s agreed to play at the Moran’s bakery, Sweet Capones. (The concert will happen later this summer, check out the Caring Cookie Company Facebook page.)
The Safe Harbour Society posted its appreciation to the Morans: “Thank you for shining your light so bright. You guys are absolutely amazing. Not just because you raised money but because you see people’s hearts.”