A resident of Trinity Lodge who had his Christmas lights stolen two weeks ago turned the misfortune into a bit of Christmas joy.
On Dec. 10, a gentleman from the Trinity Lodge had his property vandalized and his newly purchased Christmas lights stolen. Rachel Dortman, a concerned citizen and an Interior Health employee, hasvesince raised $260 to go towards replacing the lights. To raise the money, Dortman combined in person donations with the online fundraising program – Gofundme.com - to raise almost $300 before Gofundme.com took their commission.
“Almost $300 to replace the gentlemen’s lights. I work with Interior Health so I know who he is and I am familiar with the people that live down at Trinity Lodge. When I read the story, I put a Gofundme.com page up for him and with that and people dropping off money we raised almost $300 to replace the lights,” said Dortman.
The gentleman the money was raised for declined the money and instead insisted that it be used for the benefit of all the members of Trinity Lodge.
“I spoke with him on Sunday to tell him what we did and to take him to Canadian Tire to get the lights replaced. He declined the money, in tears. Instead of having just him benefit, he wanted to give something to all of the tenants at Trinity Lodge,” said Dortman. “That was so awesome, it brought a little tear to my eye. So I talked to Ann at Ann’s Independent Grocers and she offered a discount on some little gift packages of soaps and what not. So we will give a gift package in this gentleman’s name to all of the residents at Trinity Lodge.”
While the theft and destruction of property makes Dortman angry, she chose to try to help the gentlemen.
“Since I work with seniors they are really special to me. When I heard what happened, it made me quite angry. What else can you do, I can sit at home and be angry, or I can help make this guys Christmas better,” said Dortman.