Spreading the gift of humanity

Times Reporter   

 

The Christmas season can be a tough time of year for many. Trying to find a way to afford to buy presents for your loved ones while still affording groceries and gas can be depressing. 

Getting a helping hand can be a blessing beyond words, and being the person lending the hand also gives a special feeling. 

James Demshakwa, originally from Nigeria, recently watched the assassination of JFK on TV. When Kennedy said the famous words ‘ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” it got him thinking about what could he do. 

He had watched the news during the flood and found it amazing how Canadians were responding to help those affected, and then with hurricane Haiyan in the Philippines he said he saw the same generosity again 

“I just was moved by the way Canadians have responded. Christmas is coming so I just thought of a little surprise,” said Demshakwa.

On Nov. 26 he went to the Hi-Ho gas bar, and to the Crystal Ridge Esso, he gave each location $250 and a stack of letters. The money was to pay for the gas of people who paid $50 or less for their gas. The letter was to explain why. 

On Nov. 27 he went to the Co-op gas bar, again with a stack of letters and $250 to be given out. 

“I realized no matter how well to do you are when you own a car going to the gas station, nobody really wants to go because the money never seems to be enough,” said Demshakwa.

“Maybe somebody is coming to the gas station with just $20 and that’s all they have and they are wondering how they will get on, so let me just do that as a surprise for them.”

Noelle Gregor was one of the recipients of the free gas. She felt the need to sit and take the time to tell Demshakwa that his help in his little way was actually huge for her. 

“Something that so many would see as a small gesture has allowed me to get to work this morning and bring me home to my family. I am a proud woman and most would think by my appearance that I am comfortable in my life. I woke up this morning with $10 to my name not knowing how I would get to work tomorrow… you have taken that stress from my day,” said Gregor in an email to Demshakwa.

“I can not thank you enough, I was in tears as the relief washed over me and I thanked you and the universe for the gift. I am forever grateful for the person that you are. You have made a huge difference to many people.

“Sometimes we are blessed to have such beautiful, special people touch our lives. What I love about this, people, like me who struggle everyday and are too proud are reached. I cried … damn right I did… it reminded me that I am not alone … that there are good people who want to touch your life if for no other reason than to appreciate humanity.” 

Demshakwa said in Africa he found a lot of people expect that there should be a handout from the developed countries. 

“They don’t understand that the giving countries like Canada, it’s not out of so much that they have because some people they have a little bit, but they want to share,” said Demshakwa.

“In one sense I wanted to understand the story of the people that give, its not as if they have everything in the world, they have made up their mind to give. And then in one sense too to make those who give, like Canadians, feel how it is to receive.”

Robyn Kloosterhof also emailed Demshakwa to tell him how his gift has affected her. 

“I was blown away and touched today by your kindness. I got gas at the Esso gas station today when the two cashiers gave me the surprising news about my gas being paid for. I am blessed to not have been in the position of others who suffered in the flood and hurricane…. but I think I know the warmth they feel when someone reaches out to help them.

Thank you for giving me an experience I will never forget and helping me to understand what others have felt like when I have contributed.” 

Demshakwa is hoping word of his gift will inspire others to give in their own way. 

“We have so much to be thankful for and so much that we can share. We live in a society now that there’s so much evil and I feel that yes there’s evil on one side but if we’re very creative and have good intentions we can overcome evil by what we do,” said Demshakwa.