A Red Deer construction company that pledged to celebrate its 25th anniversary by helping local families in need has delivered — literally.
True-Line Homes showed up at the Blackfalds home of Nick and Brandy Cowles with a trailer full of supplies last week. The couples’ infant son Mateo is recovering from a recent liver transplant, and they also have a newborn daughter.
Kevin Wilkie, True-Line’s vice-president of sales, said the family was presented with about $5,000 worth of goods.
These included children’s clothing, toys, furniture and other supplies, as well as $1,000 in gas cards and $1,100 in grocery vouchers.
He explained that while Mateo was receiving medical treatment, which included bouts of chemotherapy prior to his transplant, the Cowles had to rent accommodation in Edmonton.
“So they had double the bills, because they had their mortgage, plus they had to pay rent.”
It was also felt that the windfall of goods would spare the busy family from having to shop for their own supplies.
In addition to True-Line, about 25 business partners are involved in its Pay It Forward initiative. One needy family or individual is being selected in each quarter of the year, with an appropriate gesture chosen to help them.
The Cowles were among more than 60 nominees in the running for the first presentation.
Friends and family arranged for them to be at home so that Wilkie, True-Line owners Phil and Sue Neufeld, and about 20 staff members could surprise them with the presentation.
“We’d love to help all of them, but at least we were able to help out one family in need,” said Wilkie of the many nominees that the judges had to choose from.
Names are now being accepted for the second round of True-Line’s Pay It Forward program, with deserving nominees who were not chosen the first time remaining eligible. Nominations can be made by going to True-Line’s website at www.truelinehomes.com or calling the company at 403-341-5933.
A video of the presentation to the Cowles can be seen on True-Line’s Facebook page.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com