At times, working as a news reporter can feel a little like being the Grim Reaper.
As a fact of life, death and tragedy happen all the time, and in most cases we report on it because we believe the community has a right to know. Sometimes, the stories hit us hard and we, like you, are deeply impacted, wondering how life could be so cruel.
We do our best to provide a balance of good and bad news but sometimes the bad just keeps coming. But proof that there is much more good out there than bad can be found right here in this community.
Last week, The Times told you the story about Alex Vail, a Langley father who had his vehicle broken into and trashed by thieves caught in the act.
The crime cost him his vehicle, which needs in order to find work in a warehouse. He said he couldn’t afford the $300 deductible to get the car back, let alone buy his son a Christmas this year.
Vail is a good guy in a bad situation. And not because of anything he did wrong. His story struck a chord with readers.
Two days after the story came out, a man by the name of “Reg” came into The Times office and handed over an envelope with $300 cash in it — enough to pay Vail’s deductible.
The generosity doesn’t stop there. By Friday, there were more envelopes for Vail. His son will have a Christmas for sure now. Vail is humbled by the strangers’ generosity in helping his family.
And last week, we reported on the tragic fire at a four-plex that killed an elderly woman and left three other people homeless and destitute.
Readers phoned asking how they could help.
Already, money has come in to our office. This money and any other cash that comes in will go directly to those men who lost their homes. The Times is liaising with the officer who is working with those who were displaced.
Let us leave you with one last story of what makes Langley the most caring community in this province and awes us with your endless generosity.
A former addict who credits her time at a hospital program for pregnant women with substance abuse is once giving back to the place that helped her so much four years ago.
Last year, she asked for donations and they flooded into our office, of baby and women’s clothes, toiletries and more. This year, donations are coming in once again, including care packages for each woman. There, among the donations under our tree, are 12 knitted baby blankets made by someone’s loving hands.
Langley, your caring for others never ceases to amaze us and this is the good news story we are happy to share.