Thank You Messages
On Boxing Day we received word from the shelters that those who received caring gifts and messages are deeply touched and grateful for being remembered. Many shed tears that strangers would care so much about people they don't even know except through the brief stories that were shared.
While we realize only a few are able to respond, those who received gifts and letters can post a thank you message by typing in the spaces below. In the "message" blank, you can write as many words as you wish although the space appears small.
When finished, just click on "send."
After receiving your message, we will post it on this page.
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If you would like to share more of your life story to help others understand homelessness, you can email your story to
The Story of Glenn R.
Greetings ,
I would like to share a little bit of my personal feelings and thoughts on this terrible issue of being homeless. I found myself homeless almost three yrs. ago. For almost a year and half I was lost, totally alone and scared beyond my wildest imagination. I am finding very difficult to express exactly how I feel and how I felt while homeless. I can say that I did live the life on the streets and everyday of every moment felt like a lifetime. I would like to one day share all that I had experienced in that time but for right now I would like to just say a few things about society and the way that homelessness is taken so lightly.
From the first moment of being homeless something deep deep inside takes over. You instantly loose your sense of belonging, your family, friends all gone. That little part you held in your community - gone. The ability to hold your head up high and look someone in the eyes is something you never really think to much of, until you can't do it anymore. Overwhelming feelings of guilt & shame riddle your insides. Thoughts of " why me " and how could this happen, or what am I going to do. So many thoughts and feelings eating you up, but still knowing that you are alive and in an instant you change. Now all your thoughts have turned to survival. That's an instinct that just takes over in all of us. How to stay warm, how to stay safe on the streets, finding food, trying not to be robbed or beat up and always watching your back and never ever being able to truly rest or sleep. When you're homeless for whatever reason and there are so many good reasons that it happens, you find yourself - alone - very alone and scared. No matter what morals you have, what beliefs, those little rules that you lived your life by. It all changes instantly! Everything gets buried deep inside you somewhere and you only hope that one day you will be able to find that good in you again. Your life now is about making it through the day and surviving the night. Living on the streets is not living - it's trying to survive and it really isn't glamorous in any way. I think that if we were to CHALLENGE our community or perhaps our politicians to spend a night, just one night out there on the streets. Take all their comforts away and plunk them in some unfamiliar territory and say OK guys - survive! I believe it wouldn't be long before heads would turn and thoughts would change and the new found compassion for the homeless would be there. I think that then and only then would they (Governments) know what a crime it is to let this happen in this day and age. Homelessness will not go away and it is everywhere. Regardless of a big city or a small rural community it is there and getting worse with everyday. How can we live with ourselves knowing that people are freezing to death everyday, or going hungry and being hurt. There are so many people out there that have made bad choices, made mistakes in their lives, but does that mean that we turn our backs on them? They are just like you and I: Artists, Teachers, Bus drivers, Mechanics, Carpenters, Hockey coaches, the list is endless and the talent as well. They deserve the right to live a happy healthy life just like you and I. As human beings it is our obligation to focus our energy and time and money to solve this tragedy that is growing all around us. I was homeless for about a year and a half and I was lucky enough to get back home and find caring loving people that believed in me. I am now healthy and happy, but not without the nightmare that it could one day happen again. Through hard work and sheer determination I was able to start a business and create and patent a product which I still struggle to get out there, but it is happening and I one day would like to be able to promote my business in a way that helps the homeless. I truly am blessed and never thought that with what I went through that I would even be here today to write this letter. I saw a little piece on the news this morning about the founders of your website (Christmas wish list) and I think they are beautiful people with hearts of gold and I hope this letter will be passed on to them just so they know that what they are doing is such a great thing. For someone that is homeless to know that people do care and they are thought of, when they believe they aren't. God bless.
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Thank You's From The Shelters
First Name: David
Last Initial: N
Name of Shelter: Drop-in Centre.
Message: A heartfelt thank you for the cristmas gifts.
First Name: Kim
Last Initial: C
Name of Shelter: Calgary Drop In Center
Message: I am a staff member of the Drop In and I just wanted to express my deep thanks for all the folks that gave from their hearts to the homeless community. It is truly amazing how Calgarians have reached out to those in need during difficult times. Thank you for your caring hearts and sharing spirits!
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First Name: Ray
Last Initial: C
Name of Shelter: Calgary drop in centre
Message: Thank you very much. It certainly was a nice treat to receive the gifts you gave. I now know for sure that there is some good still in this world of ours. Have a great year. Ray Cuningham.
First Name: john
Last Initial: J
Name of Shelter: Drop in Centre
Message: I would like thank all who gave me the great gifts, the thoughts you gave, however, are greater then the gifts given. Christmas day I received from all of you what I consider the true meaning of Christmas. Caring, Love and the hope that such a gift can give. Kareem, the best card I have received, such talent for such a young one. Thank you all and Have a great year and remember you will all be in my thoughts. John Johnson.
First Name: mark
Last Initial: m
Name of Shelter: calgary drop in centre
Message: I would like to thank those who in there great kindness found it in them selves to give the great gifts they gave. Susan, those were the best cookies i've had in a long time, thank you.
Rebecca, thank you for the lovely card and the care that went into making it. To the unknown fellow Bluenosers, I thank you for the boots and the shoes, just wonderful. All of you have shown me what kindness still exist in this world of ours. It is hard for me to express the thanks and the warm feelings I have for you all with out writing a novel. Have a great New Year. Mark MacDonald
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First Name: richard
Last Initial: f
Name of Shelter: Calgary Booth Centre
Message: I would just like to express my sincere thanks to the anonymous donors that replyed to my Christmas wish list and sent me the thoughtful gifts. I cannot express what a difference in the quality of my life that these wonderful gifts made. And to all the rest of the donors to the Christmas Wish List as well I would like you to know that the changes that you made in peoples lives is very real and appreciated. Seeing so many of the other homeless people's faces light up in smiles and the gratitude expressed in being able to have a "real" Christmas was touching beyond belief. To see so many of you kind people give to the needy in the true spirit of Christmas is both a joyful and humbling experience. To all of you kind people I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year and God Bless.
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