Calgary mom turns grief into generosity with ‘Calgary Kindness’
Posted Dec 11, 2020 5:26 pm.
Last Updated Dec 11, 2020 7:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (CityNews) – It’s one of the worst tragedies that a parent can imagine.
But after the loss of her son Brock, Lisa Parker decided to redirect her grief into generosity.
“When I started Calgary Kindness, that’s what I thought, what a better way to keep him alive in our hearts, and in our minds.”
Lisa started the Calgary Kindness Facebook group last year after her son suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm.
He was just ten years old.
His mom describes him as a rambunctious boy.
“I had a girlfriend when he was young and he used to call himself ‘George’ and she was ‘Jungle’ because he’d jump on her back – just a really fun kid.”
Thinking of the presents that Brock would no longer be able to open on Christmas Day, Lisa decided to gift her son’s Christmas experience to families in need.
Her group, now growing to include more than 3,000 members, includes several posts each day from Calgarians asking for resources or donations to make it through a tough time.
Lisa says she comes from a place of empathy, and that she’s no stranger to the situations that can lead to someone needing help.
“I always find that I can relate to most of them on a certain level. I’ve had addictions in my life, I’ve had everything, domestic abuse, you name it. Being empathetic, it’s hard for me to take it in.”
And the pandemic seems to have only worsened the situations of many Calgary families.
Donors from last year are contacting Lisa this year to ask for help.
Lisa uses one word to describe the number of requests for help she has seen: overwhelming.
“The need is so great, it’s hard to keep up. We have great members and it’s hard for them to even keep up, a lot of them have lost their jobs.”
Tara is a single mother of three young children.
Through Calgary Kindness, she was partnered with a donor who is putting gifts under the tree for her kids this year.
“Financially it’s very hard, especially during the pandemic. I feel blessed to be adopted for Christmas through the Calgary Kindness page.”
Lisa says she too has hard days to overcome.
“Due to COVID, I see a lot more people coming forward needing the help, and it’s mentally exhausting.
“When I become overwhelmed, I do have to step away.”
For the families she can help, the support is worth more than just gifts.
“It’s given me hope for the future, it’s given me happiness for Christmas to come,” says Tara.
And all that good stems from the vibrant but short life of one boy.
“I know Brock was only ten, and he was just a little guy himself, so, I know he’d be overjoyed with us helping kids in his name.”
Lisa plans to continue Brock’s legacy through her work with Calgary Kindness.
