A formal mayoral debate has sparked an unusual but heart-warming outcome, after one candidate learned his opponent was struggling financially.
Earlier this month during a televised debate, candidate Robert Janzen said him and his wife Ella Selden use the Lethbridge food bank, catching the attention of fellow candidate Martin Heavy Head.
“As the campaign went on he talked about how they spend $300 on signs and then wouldn’t be able to make rent,” Heavy Head said.
After talking to Janzen’s wife Heavy Head learned that financially things were tight for the couple who are now retired.
He also learned that Selden hasn’t seen her 84-year-old mother who lives in Fernie B.C. for the past seven years.
“I never go this long without seeing my mom because she’s always meant a lot to me,” Selden said.
So Heavy Head started a Go Fund Me account and set out with a goal to raise $2000.
“I thought I’ll keep them anonymous for now and I’ll fundraise,” he said. ” I didn’t let him know and I didn’t let his wife know.”
In just over a day Heavy Head raised more than $2000, surprising Janzen and his wife. It’s a gesture he hopes raises awareness for other struggling seniors.
“Just existing is a lot harder than people understand and they’re one of many seniors in the community facing poverty,” he said.
With a growing seniors population, the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization says adjusting financially is the number one struggle they face.
“Low income is definitely an issues for seniors,” Marlene Van Eden, a support services coordination at the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization said. “A lot of seniors don’t know what’s available. There’s many things they can apply for but not everyone knows what everyone can apply for either, so it’s an issue of having the right finances.”
For now Selden says the money will help with bills and a trip to see her mom that she wasn’t expecting.
“I never expected anyone to ever do anything like that for me in my life,” she said.
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