Last week it was impossible to bring a smile to their faces, but yesterday Leanne Dumais and her seven-year-old daughter were beaming.
Dumais said her landlord gutted their northeast home last week and left them without a kitchen, but immediately after Metro hit the stands on Friday with a front page story about their plight a few generous Calgarians stepped forward with aid.
Mike de Jonge, a Calgary realtor, said when he saw the article he knew he had to help, so he and his wife, Laura, donated $1,000 to help Dumais and her daughter get back on their feet.
“Despite the global economy, I think we just have to try and keep our eyes and hearts open for those less fortunate,” de Jonge said.
“I just found their situation really touching and we wanted to give her a nice Mother’s Day gift.”
Another Calgarian, who would like to remain anonymous, said he also found the story heartbreaking, and offered to pay for Dumais’ damage deposit on a new home.
A friend of his will be filling their fridge full of food, as well.
Dumais found a main floor home much closer to her daughter’s school over the weekend thanks to the generous help offered and is now getting set to move in this week.
“I am so overwhelmed with emotion. It’s a relief and it’s amazing that these people were so generous,” Dumais said.
“There aren’t enough words to thank them.”
Dumais said her daughter was excited to be able to live so close to school.
“If I am ever in the financial position to help others like this, I would absolutely pay it forward,” Dumais added.
“They are just amazing people.”
