http://www.jackfm.ca

The tragic crash last Friday that took 5 lives (3 children) continues to strike a cord with our listeners, as always seems to be the case during situations like this, people in this caring and generous town want to help.

Yesterday we talked about a trust fund at ATB that will assist with funeral costs. This morning, thanks to a touching and illuminating email we received, we’ve learned of another being set up at Scotia. Please take the time read the email (I’ve attached below) to not only learn about how to help, but about a wonderful lady who’s going through what none of us could even imagine.

I apologize for delivering some terrible news at such a wonderful time of year but a fellow human being needs our help.
We have all heard of and no doubt been affected by the tragic accident last Friday in Calgary in which a family of 5 was killed when they were hit from behind by a speeding cement truck while stopped at a red light.
Two of the children in that car were the only children of a very close friend of our family. In fact, our friend, Pervina Gautreau, the mother of these two angels works with and is best of friends with our oldest daughter Natasha.
Alexia and Kiarria were with their father (Pervina’s ex husband) his new girlfriend and her 16 month old son. All were properly restrained in their seatbelts and were simply waiting for the light to change to green. No one survived. The 50 year old driver of the cement truck is facing several charges including failure to provide a breath sample, reckless driving, speeding etc. etc.
Pervina is one of those exceptional human beings you meet so rarely who cares so much for others and gives more than she has the ability to give. Her kind, generous spirit is housed behind a beautiful, peaceful, smiling face. Life has not smiled on this wonderful lady. Two years ago while still married, the family home burned to the ground and they lost everything. Shortly thereafter Pervina left the marriage to start anew and rebuild a life for her and the two angels who were the light of her lives. Now, tragically, they have been taken from her.
It is unlikely that Pervina will be able to return to work or the home she shared with her children or any semblance of the life she once knew for a significant period of time. We hope to be able to help her through a trust fund that has been established in her name. If you are able please consider helping this wonderful lady get back on her feet. If not, please say a prayer for her or put out some good vibrations to the universe on her behalf.
Donations can be made at any Bank of Nova Scotia in the name of Pervina Gautreau. The home Scotia Bank branch for this trust fund is in Okotoks, Alberta.
Anything you can do with your ability to reach the masses would be greatly appreciated.
Tell your loved ones how you feel often. It can all be taken away so suddenly.
Thank you,

We’ve been having fun this week on the show with lots of input from you guys on everything from ‘shoes on or off for house Christmas parties’. The correct answer by the way is to assume ‘off’ unless directly told to leave them on by the host. Eric offered tips on how to ensure a gift you give doesn’t have the chance to be ‘re-gifted’. This was obviously pointed at me as an avid ‘re-gifting’ proponent. His best advice? Books with inscriptions on every blank page!

As for Christmas gatherings, we had a nice one on Saturday evening with what we used to call our Christmas ‘dinner party’. It became apparent this has transformed into ‘Parents watching kids run around’. A full glass of Eric’s port ended up soaking his daughter Kelly’s shirt. He and I rushed upstairs to change her and administer product to the potential stain. There was a time in our lives that helping a gal out of her shirt drenched with alcohol had a completely different ending

Not everything has been light fare of late. I think in the back of everyone’s mind is the tragic loss of three innocent lives (2 adults and 3 children) in a crash Friday evening. A family member has spoken out of the pain and grief that most of us can’t even fathom. One thing he has said that struck me was that their prayers and thoughts are with the truck driver (who’s been charged on multiple counts leading to the deaths) because he and his family are through a lot too. I really don’t know if, in the same situation, I would have that much strength and empathy. Also, in talking about his 16 month old nephew, Zachary, who was killed in the crash…..”Zachary was a little firecracker” said Herb Grieder. “He was go, go, go, go, he never stopped, the only time he would stop was when he would sleep”. Well, asleep he is right now. Hopefully peacefully, and certainly in a better place.

Quick reminder. Please stop by a ‘Mark’s Work Warehouse’ and drop off cash, toys or clothing before Christmas for those in need not only this season, but throughout the year. It’s called ‘Jack FM’s Helping Hands’

your turn

Seems we’re all full tilt into the season of stress. What to buy, for whom to buy, where to buy, how much to buy and by God where to park!?

It’s also a time of year many of us in this wonderful generous city help out those who don’t have the means to ‘buy’. There’s lots of great charities and initiatives to donate articles, cash or time. At JACK, every year we help out the drop in centre by way of something we call ‘Helping Hands’. If you have a chance, please visit a ‘Marks Work Warehouse’ and drop off clothing, toys or cash in the bin displaying our name. Everything raised goes to assist individuals and families who are struggling to get a step ahead in this admittedly expensive city. The step is a big one and can seem impossible and heartbreaking especially at this time of year when they watch many of us drive by in in our SVU’s packed with shopping bags on our way to a warm house and full fridge.

In the same vein of helping out others during Christmas, I want to share something our family has been doing for years now. Maybe you could incorporate something similar into your holiday rituals.

My parents decided a far better and more gratifying thing to do in place of exchanging gifts was to use the money we would have to spend to assist charities. Truth be told, I think they decided my brothers and I have too much stuff. So every year under my parents tree is a box my woodworking Mom actually made. In the box we all put whatever cash we think we would have spent on gifts for the family. We also put our names (spouses too) in on a piece of paper including a charity of our choice. On Christmas morning one name/charity is drawn and all the cash goes to that charity. Winning name also benefits by claiming the tax receipt. Just something to think about!

Before I forget, let me say thanks to all those that phoned the show
last week or contributed here with suggestions on how to make it through
the ‘solo flight with a 2 year old alive’ As a quick reset I took my
son Liam to visit my parents in Ontario last weekend. He’s flown before
but there’s always been my wife and I…..so this time no ‘hand-off’.
Flight there went awesome with not a tear or peep. Of course that good
fortune could be directly related to the extra seat beside us (DVD
player, snacks, trucks, books, diaper bag, extra clothes…..and a
bottle of Crown) There was also the small point we were completely
surrounded by the ‘Eskimo Cheerleaders’, who were only too happy to play
and entertain the kid. Is it possible that a not even 2 year old can
ascertain whether a gal is hot or not? That questioned was answered over
the flight as he smiled, giggled and literally flirted the entire time. And
although the words didn’t come out, I caught his eyes a couple of times
clearly saying “Yo dad, what a waste huh?. You’re old and married and
I’m not toilet trained yet….we won’t be joining any ‘mile high club will
we?’

The fight home we weren’t as lucky with a sold out plane so no extra seat and without cheerleaders aka ‘pacifiers’. Little Liam became loud Liam for the last hour and a half. And I became ‘that parent’. ‘That parent I used to look at and silently curse because they can’t shut their damn kid up.

Tomorrow is ‘national volunteer day’. On the show we’ll be giving you the opportunity to call in and give praise to someone you know who gives of their time in Calgary.

your turn