When you all wonder why we consider moving across the globe and we aren't always able to articulate why, here are a couple stories that help me explain. Yes the people are kind and we feel a sense of community much more than we ever have in BC but these examples show you how much more we feel and notice it.
There was an article in the regional paper earlier this week about a farmer who had about 120 of his cows drop dead within about an hour. The cause of death is still not determined even a few days later and there are some that are still sick on his farm. So yes it's an unfortunate bit of luck and the initial thought was that a container used to store feed was contaminated but it appears that wasn't the case. Today I read the paper and saw a follow up article. The main information was that farmers from hundreds of kilometres around were pulling together to donate a cow or two from their herds to help this farmer. The big milk company seemed to be offering to transport the animals because of course that could be a major cost. So here is a farmer who easily lost a few hundred thousand dollars of stock (even a cheap cow would run about $1000 based on what we saw at the auctions back in September) but hopefully, because of his neighbours - near and far - he can recoup some amount of it. It was over a quarter of his herd so who knows if he would have even broken even without the others stepping in to help.
Then, back a few months there was a "reality" TV show called The Block that ran for a couple months. The premise is that 4 teams of 2 have to renovate a house each and then the houses are put up for auction with the competitors keeping any profits (above the cost of the house and materials). The team that earned the most profits was also awarded $80K on top of their profits. So 8 people have spent about 5 weeks with very little sleep working on these houses - which are side by side on a street - and compete in various challenges as well to win things like a plumber for a day or $5000 in painting so they can finish the house. They were judged on their rooms along the way and also could win money for their budget that way. None of the contestants could be builders though so most of them either had no experience or had DIY experience but no training. The final auction episode was aired live and the first house went for tons of money with each following house going for less and less. The last house to be auctioned barely reached reserve - the auctioneer had to squeeze the last few thousand out of the bidders. So in effect, this team just spent 5 weeks of their time and effort for no monetary reward. You definitely felt for them. So a couple days later I heard about a Facebook campaign someone started to raise money for this couple. All of the teams were people in their 20-30's and mostly in it to earn enough to buy their own homes. Also they had been off work for the last month and a bit as well. Within a couple days people had deposited over $13,000 into the account that was set up. The thing was that the third place team only earned $10K on their auction so this couple refused to accept anything over that and donated the excess to keep things fair.
Just a couple slices of Kiwi life I wanted to share. Just warms your heart :)
And I can't hold this story against BC but for the past few years when we have been in town for Christmas, I have volunteered at the Christmas Bureau. I recall last year that someone agreed to sponsor several families - and then backed out with only about a week before Christmas! What happens is a family signs up and then attends the warehouse to collect presents and stocking stuffers and food hampers for Christmas. If they are lucky, a company, a church group, a family or group of friends offers to sponsor them which generally means more personalized gifts and a larger spread overall because there is no limit aside from the sponsor's budget. When someone is sponsored they don't get to come in to the warehouse because they will be taken care of. So when someone takes responsibility for a few families and then decides it's too much work to put it together, it's a let down for that family - and if I remember they had almost wrapped up the warehouse pick ups for the season so these families were almost left out! Of course the volunteers wouldn't have let that happen but man was it disappointing. I know there's tons more happy stories of community happening in BC all the time but maybe there's just too many people to notice it as much.
On that note, since I'm not heading up a sponsor team this year - don't forget to donate to the Christmas Bureau or to buy and donate a gift for those less fortunate!
There was an article in the regional paper earlier this week about a farmer who had about 120 of his cows drop dead within about an hour. The cause of death is still not determined even a few days later and there are some that are still sick on his farm. So yes it's an unfortunate bit of luck and the initial thought was that a container used to store feed was contaminated but it appears that wasn't the case. Today I read the paper and saw a follow up article. The main information was that farmers from hundreds of kilometres around were pulling together to donate a cow or two from their herds to help this farmer. The big milk company seemed to be offering to transport the animals because of course that could be a major cost. So here is a farmer who easily lost a few hundred thousand dollars of stock (even a cheap cow would run about $1000 based on what we saw at the auctions back in September) but hopefully, because of his neighbours - near and far - he can recoup some amount of it. It was over a quarter of his herd so who knows if he would have even broken even without the others stepping in to help.
Then, back a few months there was a "reality" TV show called The Block that ran for a couple months. The premise is that 4 teams of 2 have to renovate a house each and then the houses are put up for auction with the competitors keeping any profits (above the cost of the house and materials). The team that earned the most profits was also awarded $80K on top of their profits. So 8 people have spent about 5 weeks with very little sleep working on these houses - which are side by side on a street - and compete in various challenges as well to win things like a plumber for a day or $5000 in painting so they can finish the house. They were judged on their rooms along the way and also could win money for their budget that way. None of the contestants could be builders though so most of them either had no experience or had DIY experience but no training. The final auction episode was aired live and the first house went for tons of money with each following house going for less and less. The last house to be auctioned barely reached reserve - the auctioneer had to squeeze the last few thousand out of the bidders. So in effect, this team just spent 5 weeks of their time and effort for no monetary reward. You definitely felt for them. So a couple days later I heard about a Facebook campaign someone started to raise money for this couple. All of the teams were people in their 20-30's and mostly in it to earn enough to buy their own homes. Also they had been off work for the last month and a bit as well. Within a couple days people had deposited over $13,000 into the account that was set up. The thing was that the third place team only earned $10K on their auction so this couple refused to accept anything over that and donated the excess to keep things fair.
Just a couple slices of Kiwi life I wanted to share. Just warms your heart :)
And I can't hold this story against BC but for the past few years when we have been in town for Christmas, I have volunteered at the Christmas Bureau. I recall last year that someone agreed to sponsor several families - and then backed out with only about a week before Christmas! What happens is a family signs up and then attends the warehouse to collect presents and stocking stuffers and food hampers for Christmas. If they are lucky, a company, a church group, a family or group of friends offers to sponsor them which generally means more personalized gifts and a larger spread overall because there is no limit aside from the sponsor's budget. When someone is sponsored they don't get to come in to the warehouse because they will be taken care of. So when someone takes responsibility for a few families and then decides it's too much work to put it together, it's a let down for that family - and if I remember they had almost wrapped up the warehouse pick ups for the season so these families were almost left out! Of course the volunteers wouldn't have let that happen but man was it disappointing. I know there's tons more happy stories of community happening in BC all the time but maybe there's just too many people to notice it as much.
On that note, since I'm not heading up a sponsor team this year - don't forget to donate to the Christmas Bureau or to buy and donate a gift for those less fortunate!
Nice stories Katherine. December 12th is only a day away!! Your Mom and I wish you both hear good news. Love you!
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