Pictou Landing Fire Department

I was inspired by acts of kindness and compassion of Gregg McDonald, a volunteer firefighter at the Pictou Landing Fire Department, 185 kilometers north east of Halifax, Nova Scotia in the small remote town of Moose River.

After the devastation of hurricane Fiona, his town was one many communities devastatingly impacted by hurricane Fiona’s path of destruction. The damages were unprecedented conditions we’re dire. Residents were left with no power, no heat and no running water. Telephone land lines were not working and there was no cell service even in the best of times.

The elderly were isolated and in perilous circumstances. McDonald feared for the lives of the vulnerable in his community and took action. Gregg made a list of seniors to check on after the storm and made the long and difficult trip to each one of them to provide bottled water, a portable generator (to ‘charge’ their freezers and refrigerators for 8–10 hours to save perishables) and hope.

We applaud you Mr McDonald. Your quiet, humble dedication is a reminder of how acts of kindness not only save lives but bang a powerful drum of empathy and compassion that resonates throughout the land.

Thank you and the all noble souls who provide so much for us all. We are deeply grateful. Your service and dedication is a blessing to humanity.