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Mckenzie Towne Tree of Hope, Prestwick Manor SE, Calgary (2026)

04/09/2023

Happy Easter to anyone reading this. I’ve decided that the Tree of Hope has done it’s time here. The last year seemed so hectic that I actually never put up the Christmas Tree of Hope. Then I thought I would do something special for Valentines Day. That didn’t happen either. I wanted to believe that something beautiful could still happen with this Tree of Hope, even though face masks aren’t as critical anymore. I wanted something more. Something beautiful with meaning. Each Easter since Covid I have made special magnets to hang out for anyone to have, along with the face masks, but this year I wanted to do something different.

Since “Believe” is my favorite all time word, I decided I wanted to give a different gift on my Tree of Hope to people one last time, along with face masks of course. Kind of like the grand finale of the Tree of Hope. A special ending to my giving tree. I wanted to give others something to pass on, where ever they might go. So I have made up some vinyl waterproof decals, with the word, “Believe,” along with “Faith,” hearts and some crosses, to celebrate Easter in a different way. You can put them on your vehicle, or put them on a cup, or pretty much anywhere you want.

As many of you know, I have a crocheted tire cover on my Jeep that says Believe. And just as it says…I always hope, when I’m driving, that the word “Believe” might inspire someone, at just the right time, when perhaps someone needs a reminder. That perhaps it will remind them to Believe there is good in this world, to Believe that they are enough, Believe that they are loved, Believe that this is just our journey, Believe that we have a better place to go one day, Believe that they can get thru a tough situation, Believe that they are never alone, Believe that we all have a purpose in life, Believe in our Creator….just simply Believe.

Now I’m passing on this special word, for anyone else to share that reminder when they are out, or just a reminder for themselves, as we manage this journey we call life.

The Tree of Hope is fully stocked with these special decals, and the last of the face masks that my sister Lore has made, as she has handled stocking the tree for over a year on her own. I am so grateful for her beautiful kind and giving heart.
Come on over to 8 Prestwick Manor SE, and help yourself to any decals and face masks. Grab some for your friends while you are here. Our Easter gift from us to you ❤️

I thank you for sharing this journey of the McKenzie Towne Tree of Hope. I completely lost count on how many face masks were given away, by my sister, many friends, many strangers that became friends, and my family. But the last count I did record, was over 4000. Not to mention the numerous other gifts people have donated to stock the tree to give away in a time of need. What started out as a way to help get thru Covid and show some kindness, and continued for those rocky years, it sure made my heart softer and my eyes see clearer. I realised that everything I have is a gift, and gifts are meant to be shared. I realised that it’s more important to be kind, especially when the world seems so filled with darkness. I realised that life is short, and that it’s so important to fill our world with positivity, and good attitudes and surround ourselves with people who bring out the best in you. I realised that nothing here on earth is permanent, for this is just our journey. I realised that our sole purpose in life is to find our gift, and then give it away. As Mother Theresa once said “It’s not how much we give…it’s how much love we put in to giving.”

I wish you all a beautiful journey. I wish you all a Happy Easter. I pray that you remember that Kindness is the one gift that everyone can afford to give. I pray that you always Believe there is Hope, for Hope is believing and seeing there is light, despite the darkness surrounding us.
And no matter what you do…just have Faith and Believe❤️

P.S. Since many people will be having huge Easter meals, and likely lots of leftovers…if you have too much food left over, please let me know. I would be more than happy, to share any leftovers with those, whom have very little, living on the streets. 🥰

07/31/2022

Today is the birthday of my beautiful sister. The one that has been sewing free face masks still, for the Tree of Hope. She was here to visit a week ago, and brought a bunch more masks to hang on the tree. The masks still are being taken from the tree of hope, so she has kept sewing them. She has been carrying the load of sewing masks for the tree of hope for a long time now. I think it’s beautiful how she’s giving them away in Calgary, even though she doesn’t live here.

Not only is this beautiful birthday girl so giving, but she has a heart of gold. When she comes to Calgary to visit, she always goes out with me to feed people on the streets without hesitation. She helps pack up food and is so concerned about the people we meet. Also, when she’s visiting, she walks her dog numerous times in the day, and on each walk she picks up garbage. I don’t know anyone that does this, but clearly she is a thoughtful caring soul. On her visits in Calgary, she picked up 40 grocery bags of garbage in McKenzie Towne alone. She does this in her hometown also, and when I asked how many bags of garbage she has quietly picked up in her home town Kindersley, and in Calgary on her visits, she gave me the total, which was astonishing.
767 BAGS OF GARBAGE!!!!😱
It’s hard to imagine, but this is what she does, on every single walk. What a selfless act of kindness to the world we live in.

If anyone deserves a special birthday, I have to say she does. Please help me wish her Happy Birthday🥰

Thank you Lore Bews for being such a beautiful kind soul, whom always thinks of others, and goes out of your way to be a good human.❤️💙❤️

Happy birthday ❤️💕❤️

04/17/2022

Since Covid arrived, we started a little tradition of hanging gifts on our fence for Easter Sunday. I know we started this to show hope during some dark times, and to show that even in the darkness, we can all chose to show love and kindness…and be the light. I still think that this world is full of so much darkness, and I want to continue this little tradition, to show that there is still hope, there is still reasons to show kindness, and that today is a really important day for those who believe.

Easter Sunday is like a reset for the world. It’s a new beginning. The darkness has left and the promise of Hope is all around us. Afterall…there is always Hope, and today is the day that reminds us what Easter is truly about. A new beginning. Truly, if we think about it, each day should feel like today, a new beginning. As tomorrow is never promised. So let’s make today beautiful. Let’s give thanks to our good Lord above for the abundant blessings surrounding us. Let’s celebrate Easter for all that it truly is.❤️

If you are wanting to do a little Easter Hunt, come on over to Prestwick Manor, find our place, and hunt for a gift on our fence. My daughter and I have made up a bunch of special magnetic sayings to celebrate Easter, with sayings to shine some light. Perhaps you want to pick one out for a friend, or for someone that is struggling, or to leave on some strangers door. Just our little annual Easter gift to anyone that wants one. And while you are at it, the Tree of Hope is stocked as full as it can be, with face masks from my beautiful sister Lore Bews . We are going to continue with our Tree of Hope, to show love in a small way that we can. ❤️

We all wish you a new beginning, a beautiful day, and a blessed Easter.
May God bless you with all you need💕

03/28/2022

The Tree of Hope, is still standing and has now blossomed, with colorful flowers. Spring is such a beautiful season…it’s like a new beginning, and this world needs just that…a fresh start. I am aware the mask mandate has been lifted, however, there is still many people wearing masks. Many businesses still require their staff to be masked, and some still require masks for anyone to enter. There is still Covid lurking about, and there are still immune compromised people trying their best to stay safe. For some, whom already have an illness, still want to protect themselves as a chance of survival.

Once again, my sister Lore Bews has stepped up and made it possible for the Tree of Hope continue to be filled for others. She has graciously sent 135 handmade masks from Saskatchewan. I am so grateful to her. I asked her how long it takes to make one, which is 30 minutes approximately. So basically (135 masks x 30 minutes) 67.5 hours is her gifted time, not to mention the cost of supplies, to help others continue to be protected. When you do the math of how many masks her and I have made….it’s a shocking amount of hours. But then again…when people volunteer their time, it’s because they chose to, and because they care.

Two years have flown by, and myself and my sister have said to ourselves, that we will see this out to the end if we can. Afterall…this pandemic has taught me, we all have a choice….that I can either whine and complain…or I can make the best of it, and shine some light in whatever way my heart desires. So here we are. The Tree of Hope continues to be filled, and it’s super full of colorful masks from my sister. Just come on over to Prestwick Manor SE, anytime, any day. It is there for anyone that needs some masks. A little gift from us to you❤️

Sending love to you all❤️💕❤️

01/21/2022

I just want to say a huge 💝THANK YOU💝 to Evelyn at the “Just Fur Kids Dog Daycare” and to Dawn at “Just Fur Kids Dog Grooming” for being such a big supporter of helping the Tree of Hope give even more.

I know my Tree of Hope started as giving away masks in a time of need, and it still continues to do so. But the Tree of Hope is more than just that. It symbolizes the need to give. It has branched out to hitting the streets where people are residentially challenged, and giving people in need, some much needed hope. People can still come get masks, and sometimes other items to help thru this pandemic. But it is also a spot to drop off items for our fellow humans that are living on the streets.

Dawn and Evelyn have made their business a permanent drop off spot for items to donate to people living on the streets, and I’m so truly grateful for their big hearts. They have filled up numerous car loads, and we are able to pack it into backpacks and hand out care kits to help those in need. It truly takes a team to be able to help make a difference in this world, and these two ladies truly have stepped up to the plate to make a difference, along with all their beautiful friends and customers that have donated items. If you have items you no longer need, and it can help a struggling soul, pop by “Just Fur Kids Dog Daycare and Dog Grooming” and drop it off. These ladies have such big hearts, and it’s no wonder why they are working with fur kids, as they have so much love to share ❤️
Thank you ladies for helping the Tree of Hope continue to give Hope to those who need it💝

01/05/2022

Tonight…my good friend Michelle and I packed up the Jeep full of anything and everything we might need to give to people on the streets. It’s so so cold, and we are worried, as many are on the street trying to survive, and for Michelle…her daughter is somewhere out there too, so we always hope we can find her. We set off to go to Forest Lawn. Within the first 10 minutes, we spot someone huddled up in the nook of a business. We turned around immediately and found a place to park. We got out a filled backpack, snow pants, a blanket and a bag of food. We rushed over, and tried to get this young man to move. Zero response no matter how loud we speak. He’s curled up, no mitts, not much for winter gear, and no movement. At the ripe temperature of -25…one would not last long, especially without proper warm gear and not moving. We immediately called 911 and in less than 5 minutes help arrived. Michelle had put the blanket on him while we waited. They tried to get him to move and it was clear he was in desperate need of help. The EMS took him and we think that he will survive..or we sure prayed that he will. He was young. He is someone’s child. We don’t know his story, we don’t know his struggles. We don’t know if he just gave up as he just couldn’t go on. We don’t know if he had begged God for help as he sits all alone freezing…but we showed up, on what I am to believe as God’s time.

We got back in the Jeep full of all sorts of emotions. Tears were taking over and we prayed that he would be ok. We set off to try and find more people in need. A block after we started driving, my radio mysteriously started to play. Just so you know…my radio hasn’t been working for close to two years, but it’s not a need and not in the budget, so I haven’t replaced it. But somehow, my radio suddenly starts playing. But what is even more strange…it’s on a radio station I have never listened to before, and these are the words of the song that was being sung as the radio magically turns on:

🎵Beat down from the storms that you have weathered
Feels like this road just might go on forever
Carry on
You keep on givin'
But every day this world just keeps on takin'
Your tired heart is on the edge of breaking
Carry on
Weary traveler, restless soul
You were never meant to walk this road alone
It'll all be worth it so just hold on
Weary traveler, you won't be weary long
And no more searchin'
Heaven's healing's gonna find where all the hurt is
When Jesus calls, we'll lay down all our heavy burdens
Carry on, oh
Weary traveler, restless soul
You were never meant to walk this road alone
It'll all be worth it so just hold on
Weary traveler, you won't be weary long
No, you won't be weary long
You won't be weary long (weary long)
Someday soon we're gonna make it home…..🎵
(Words of “Weary Traveler” by Jordan St. Cyr)

Michelle and I were sobbing so much as the miracle of my radio playing this beautiful song just after we found this man hanging on for life in the cold. As we cried we knew in our hearts that God gave us this song. This song was so apparently a message. I Shazammed it and found out it’s called “Weary Traveller.” How completely fitting with the entire night.

I’m crying as I write this. We are all on a journey. Many times we feel weary. We feel too tired to go on. We struggle. Many of us feel so alone with our pain. But, as the song says, “Weary traveler, restless soul
You were never meant to walk this road alone. It'll all be worth it so just hold on
Weary traveler, you won't be weary long.”
Reach out to people. Check in on each other. Find people who are hurting and lift them up. Look for those that have been discarded by this harsh world…they need someone to care for them, to show love, to give them hope. Take a drive and search for the lonely. Don’t just drive by. You never know if you are answering someone’s prayer for help. We are all weary at times. Often we hold on to the hurt and feel so alone. But God is telling us with this song he gave us…hold on. We won’t be weary long. It’s not forever. For someday we are going to make it home.

I don’t know if the message from above was for us, or if God is saying this to the young man on the verge of freezing to death. But either way…it fit both Michelle and I and directly spoke to our hearts. It truly took me hitting rock bottom and my life filled with daily pain, to be able to have eyes that see others struggling. I’m so grateful for my pain, for without I may not able to see others hurting 🙏

I pray that anyone reading this knows that whatever you are hurting with, you are not alone. It’s ok to feel weary…but just hold on. Someday soon we’re going to make it home ❤️

P.S. If you have warm mitts, XL winter coats, mens winter boots, hand warmers, backpacks, blankets or even small tarps…these are some of the things we run out of quickly and is a desperate need. We just want to help our fellow humans in a way we can. After all, we are all on this journey together. 🥰

Here is the beautiful song that God sent us. I feel like I am to share this with others

https://youtu.be/Z36k-BXIags

01/02/2022

You know what’s great about New Years? It’s a new beginning. Not only just for the year, but every single day is an opportunity to start over again.
But really what it is…it’s Hope. Hope for another new day. Hope for good changes. Hope for peace. Hope for more positivity. Hope to find courage. Hope for bright days. Hope for strengthened relationships. Hope to be more grateful. Hope to find love. Hope for healing. Hope to stay strong. Hope to love yourself and all the beautiful imperfections. For at the end of the day, everyone is perfectly imperfect. And HOPE is the one thing that no one can take away from us. For where there is HOPE…there is FAITH…where there is FAITH…miracles happen.
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.

I wish for you reading this, to have a beautiful new year filled with daily H❤️PE

Happy New Years to you all💙💙💙

10/24/2021

A note about *Freedom*
(I found this post and have permission to share)

While we've lost some *privileges* and conveniences, we've not lost any freedoms.

For context, I was in the military - infantry - and deployed to Somalia in 1993. Many of my friends deployed to other countries; Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Lebanon. All gave some, some gave all - 13 friends and counting have died while serving Canada. We've seen firsthand how lives are impacted when freedom is truly taken away and absent.

Our government's response to Covid-19 has certainly impacted many privileges and choices, but not our freedoms.

Some people seem to focus on what they can't do instead of what they can.

Do restrictions suck - of course.

I would prefer not to wear a mask.

I would prefer to dine in a restaurant than order Skip.

I would like to attend a scotch tasting than a virtual tasting.

I would prefer my kids to learn in class vs online.

But let's be clear;

• we can go outside without fear of being shot by a sniper for binging on the wrong side of town.

• women and girls can drive cars, go to school, have jobs, vote.

• We have the freedom to worship in any religion we choose or resign from any religious practice at all.

• We can respectfully protest and speak up without fear of being whipped, stoned, or killed.

• We can marry who we love.

• We can own a cat.

Brené Brown's work (PhD, TEDx Speaker, Author, Professor, and researcher) along with social psychologist, Jonathan Haidt, have found that connected communities are stronger communities, and while they suffer pain just like everyone else, connected communities are more resilient and recover faster than those who aren't staying connected.

This Facebook group and McKenzie Towne is our community - I think we've done a good job staying connected - online and in real life.

What hurts us the most is dehumanization.

When we speak about others as sub-human. ie: Moron, Libtard, Right Winger, Left Winger, Plague Rat, Scumbag, dirtbag, cockroach, a--hole, etc, that's dehumanization.

Would you believe that research shows that dehumanizing language is step 1 of 3 that leads to genocide? Crazy, eh.

As said before in other posts, kindness and curiosity matter more than ever. The ones suffering are not the ones making the rules - people really are doing the best they can, trying to survive.

Note: What if, instead of covid-19, we had a global e-coli breakout.

Every now and then a local community pool closes due to e-coli in the pool because someone pooped in the pool (again). I've never once seen someone try to break into a closed pool due to e-coli contamination because they felt their freedom to swim was violated. Instead... we patiently wait until the pool is properly cleaned so we can go back to swimming. Covid is the same - only worse and greater scale.

While I don't agree with some of the decisions made by our governments... none of what the government does in my control - thus I focus on what I can control.

The uncertainty of it all is truly the hardest challenge for human brains... we don't do well with uncertainty. Our brains want certainty and predictability more than anything - it's how we are wired... so, in part, it explains why there's so much anger and frustration because no one can tell us when - specifically/definitively - all these restrictions are over.

My best advice - it's over when it's over, and the more we actively participate in our own recovering, the sooner we'll get there.

Written by Vince Fowler..a beautiful community member of McKenzie Towne

10/18/2021

I just want to say a huge thank you to Mike LaValley and his beautiful wife for coming to fill my Tree of Hope with free hand sanitizer again and again. They have come to fill the tree so many times now, and it’s just so thoughtful and kind. I’m truly grateful for their help in filling the tree, especially since it’s a perfect fit with the free masks. These beautiful people have such big hearts. Not only do they graciously help me fill the Tree of Hope, but they are a huge part of our Celebration Drive By Parade group, and never hesitate to go out to help make others smile. I’m so proud and feel so blessed to call these two my friends💙❤️💙❤️💙

10/07/2021

I just want to say a big heartfelt “Thank You” to this sweet lady. A few weeks ago, I was in a rush leaving my house to take the kids to school one morning, and saw someone at the Tree of Hope. I just assumed someone was there to get some masks. But to my surprise, this lady was decorating the Tree of Hope with more flowers. My heart felt so much love as I could feel her beautiful heart. I asked her name, and I believe she told me it was Tiffany, but my short term memory could be wrong. She added a bunch of florals around the signs and more in the tree and below it. It was truly so beautiful. To whomever this beautiful soul is….I thank you for sharing your heart.❤️

And by the way…the tree is stocked super full at this very moment. So if you need any masks…come on by🥰

09/06/2021

Happy long weekend to everyone. As schools have started back up, and masks are mandatory again, I still am sewing face masks. For those that need masks, I have lots made up in all sizes. They all have a pocket for filters, super soft stretchy adjustable elastic, and nose wire. They are completely different from when I first started doing this when covid first came to town. As soon as I was able to buy proper supplies, I was able to make them so much nicer.

As you know, I don’t charge for my masks, as there are families that can’t afford the extra costs, and I want to continue to help how I can. This way people that can’t afford to pay, can still get some masks…a gift from me to you. 💕
For anyone that wants masks, and wants to contribute…then whatever you give, helps to buy more supplies, to keep the free masks going for those that can’t afford any. After making over 3500 free masks, I can only keep doing this with others help, for which I am so grateful. It’s truly a team effort.❤️

For those that just need a couple, my “Tree of Hope” continues to be stocked. You can find it at “8 Prestwick Manor SE”. Just pop me a message if you need more than a couple, and I can make sure to get you how many that you and your family needs, in the sizes you require. I have plenty made up at the moment to pick from.

This weekend, my good friend, Mike LaValley, whom is one of the most honest, kind and genuine people I know, has helped stock the “Tree of Hope” with some free hand sanitizers. Which is just a perfect fit to go with the masks. Thank you so much Mike for always being so kind and giving.💙

Stay safe everyone, stay humble, and most of all…stay kind. We are all in this together, whether we like it or not. Might as well just keep going and make the best of it all. Just find the joy in the journey.
It’s a choice we all have❤️💕❤️

08/16/2021

Believe it or not….the McKenzie Towne Tree of Hope is still standing strong, and masks are still being picked off the tree. Myself and my beautiful sister Lore Bews have been sewing free masks to hang on the tree since covid arrived. Well…after 2 long years of not being able to see my sister due to covid restrictions, she finally got to come see me. She lives in Saskatchewan and has been sending masks to hang on my Tree of Hope all the while, which is so beautiful. Lore brought me 50 more masks to put on the tree, and at this point, she has been taking the weight of sewing more masks, off my shoulders for awhile. I am so truly grateful that she is helping me.

Today I got to finally have her fill the Tree of Hope… in person…and while she stocked the tree I got some great pictures of her. Sadly…today she had to leave to go back home, and I felt so sad. I had secretly arranged a “Farewell Beautiful Lady” surprise drive by parade for her.
I figured since she has made hundreds and hundreds of free face masks for people in McKenzie Towne, that it would only be so beautiful to surprise her with a farewell parade, and to say thank you for doing her part to help keep people safe.

So while I was taking her picture in front of the Tree of Hope…and perfectly planned timing, our beautiful friends in our Drive By Celebration Parade group suddenly appeared with a special drive by parade to celebrate my sisters beauty. To say thank you, and to let her know how special she truly is. She was truly surprised, and she so loved it. Which made my heart so happy.

Lore has gifted her time to sew masks for others, she has gifted her time and energy into making beautiful friendships, she has gifted her time with each walk she goes on with her dog and picks up litter (which she did here in McKenzie Towne too while visiting), and she gifted her time to come see me for my birthday week. The gift of time is the greatest gift of all. For when you give someone your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back. It literally costs nothing, yet it’s the most expensive gift one could ever receive. And I am truly so grateful for Lore’s gift of time to me. Best gift ever. ❤️

Thank you Lore for helping me fill the Tree of Hope again, for your kindness that has no boundaries, for being my beautiful sister and friend and for you just being YOU.
💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙💕💙

Mckenzie Towne Tree of Hope

04/09/2023

07/31/2022

04/17/2022

03/28/2022

01/21/2022

01/05/2022

01/02/2022

10/24/2021

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