Inspiration can come in small packages. Eight-year-old Theodore Mason lives in Drumheller, Alta., and has given hope to a group of men battling with addiction.
He has a close loved one suffering as an addict and he’s lost that connection. His mom Megan Mason said they talk openly about it.
“Addiction is close to our hearts and it’s nothing we hide,” Megan said.
It was her son’s idea to help raise money for men in recovery.
“His school project was to choose helping people, animals or the Earth. Of course he wanted to help people right away,” Megan said.
“I thought it would be good just helping out,” Theodore said.
He raised $800 for Grace House, a residential recovery home in Drumheller.
“Everyone deserves grace and a second chance, and I think it’s brave what the men in this house are doing,” Megan said.
“We wanted to show that we honour and respect that and we want to support them in their journey to recovery.”
Shaun Watson, the manager of Grace House, said the gesture blew him away.
“We are struggling for funds and we are trying to keep the doors open to what is an essential service,” Watson said. “We are very limited in our resources.”
“This little man took some pain and some anguish he’s dealing with it his life and he’s turned it into something positive.”
And he knows the gesture moved the men who live there.
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“These are a lot of people who feel like they’ve been forgotten,” Watson said. “They’ve lost their connection with the community and life as a whole, right?
“And to see some little guy cared enough to do something about them turns a lot of them around.”
Chris Zimmer is a client of Grace House.
“I’ve been an alcoholic since I was 12. I’m 56 now,” he said.
Zimmer said Theodore reminded him about the value of repairing relationships.
“My family is all gone because of it and I’m working on getting them back. So all you can do is try,” Zimmer said.
Theodore made him realize what’s possible.
“He’s got a good start on humanity. I think he’s a very strong young man. I have a lot of respect for him. It gives me hope,” Zimmer said.
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