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Mar 10, 2021 Read in Browser

Karuna News

This week, we take a look at the often ineffable dance between giving and receiving. When a man sells his car to a young father for hundreds less than his asking price, could he have foreseen that, several years later, the man who bought his car would sell his own condo to the lowest bidder, remembering his kindness? From housing to food to education to art, this week's stories carry the resounding reminder that the ripples unleashed by a small act of care can never be underestimated.

EVERYDAY HEROES

Why This Ontario Homeowner Accepted The Lowest Bid On His Condo

Why This Ontario Homeowner Accepted The Lowest Bid On His Condo

Damian Devonish and Juliana Aguero via CBC News. Audio: Listen Here.

In the city of London in Ontario, Canada, Juliana Aguero, a mother of two, knew it wouldn't be easy to find an affordable home. Having made 10 offers on homes in a span of three months, she lost every offer by around $100,000. When Damian Devonish, a therapist and father of three was selling his condo, he and his realtor took notice of Aguero's application, though it was the lowest one. Devonish, who arrived to Canada from Barbados eight years ago, strongly believes in paying it forward. "I really didn't have a lot of money when I came to Canada," he recalled. "I was having difficulty getting a job because I needed a vehicle." When he found a car, the seller agreed to take $500 less for it, and even threw in a set of winter tires. Of all the offers on the condo, Aguero, who moved to Canada 11 years ago from Colombia, and recently separated from her husband, had given the lowest bid by about $50,000. But Devonish accepted it. When Aguero found out, she cried. "I cannot believe there are people like Damian," she said. Devonish said, "We don't know how life will treat us 10, 15, 20 years from now. So the best thing to do is to live it well today." Read Full Story.

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COMMUNITY

California Mom's Porch Pantry And Food Deliveries Help Feed Community

California Mom's Porch Pantry And Food Deliveries Help Feed Community

Jane Tyska | Bay Area News Group. Audio: Listen Here.

Heather Ochoa started laying out food from her pantry on a table in front of her house in California early in the pandemic. People found Ochoa's house through a Facebook group See a Need, Fill a Need Contra Costa. Ochoa herself was laid off from her job at a school last spring and yet she always has food to spare. These days, beyond leaving food outside her home, she drives around the area and delivers food to those in need: seniors, cancer patients and others down on their luck who don't qualify for assistance programs. I want you to know what a true blessing the food pantry is. They bring it to our house and it helps so much, said Vicki Aiello, a recipient of Ochoa's tireless efforts to keep people fed. Read Full Story.

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ELDERS

99-Year-Old And High School Student Find Unlikely Friendship

99-Year-Old And High School Student Find Unlikely Friendship

CBC. Audio: Listen Here.

In the community of Chilliwack, B. C. 99-year-old Myrtle MacDonald and 17-year-old Jaelyn Bjornerud-Brown were paired up by The Compassionate Neighborhood Health Partners Society. The Society was formed in the early months of the pandemic to provide much needed human connection to the elderly. Brown and MacDonald have been talking over the phone for a little over an hour each week and met in person recently. MacDonald, a former nurse, spent her early career working with vulnerable populations in Asia, Africa, and other parts of Canada. Brown wants to go into nursing when she graduates. Their shared interest has strengthened an unlikely friendship. Read Full Story.

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ARTS

The Art Of Giving Back: New York Painter Buys Unknown Artists' Works

The Art Of Giving Back: New York Painter Buys Unknown Artists' Works

Audio: Listen Here.

After two decades of hard work, New York artist Guy Stanley Piloche planned to celebrate his success after a sold-out show by buying himself a $15,000 watch. But an inner voice spoke as the pandemic hit – telling him that he should step up and help other emerging artists. “I made a promise that every time I sell a painting, I’ll buy a painting,” the artist said. Piloche then posted a video on Instagram offering to buy as much artwork as possible to help fellow artists hurt by the shutdown. A year later, Piloche has spent $70,000 on more than 200 pieces of art from 150 artists around the world. “I also realize that now that I have a seat at the table I have to open doors for people, so I’m making it my mission now, you know, to give people a shot.” Read Full Story.

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YOUTH

Teen Delivers Wood For People In Need

Teen Delivers Wood For People In Need

Lum3n | Pexels. Audio: Listen Here.

Virginia teenager Eric Edwards has turned the power outage in his town into an opportunity to pay it forward, with wood. When Edwards’ own power went out, he and his family went out and started splitting logs in their backyard so they could keep the fireplace running. Soon, they were looking for wood further afield and finding it on the roads. Taking the wood to split served a dual purpose of cleaning up the roads and making firewood. Then Edwards started seeing posts on social media where people needed wood to keep warm and had no money to pay for it. Edwards answered the call by delivering wood for free to those in need. “Not many people do it, so I mean if you help, maybe you will get help later on in life,” the teen hero said. Read Full Story.

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