February 4th, while in Whistler, my husband Patrick had a heart attack. After being flown down by helicopter to St. Paul’s in Vancouver, our 4-year-old Ben and I took the bus down to Vancouver after him and started our week stay in the Sheraton, across from St. Paul’s Hospital. Patrick has survived, thank goodness, and was recovering but had to stay in the hospital, which by no stretch of the imagination was a suitable place for our 4-year-old. Our older son (20) flew out to Vancouver to be there and help out, and that gave each of us some time to get out of the hospital.

We decided to take a Trolley trip around Vancouver and get some fresh air. That is when we met Steve. He was entertaining, funny, and had some really personal stories about ‘his’ city, and his family’s history in the city. There was a great balance of the environment, the history, personal experience and humour that made the trip a lot of fun for Ben at 4 and me at 40. We visited the Vancouver Aquarium and then later that day Steve picked us up.

Now at the end of the Trolley trip, I had assumed that we would be dropped off back at our hotel, but that was not the case on a usual trip. Steve said no problem, that he would take us back into the busy city and make sure we got back alright, compassionate I am sure to our unfortunate story.

When we arrived back to the hospital that night to see how Patrick was doing, who walks in the door, but Steve. It is after hours and he has found my iPhone on the seat where we were sitting. He knows Patrick is in the hospital and actually took the time to deliver my phone to the hospital. WOW! Talk about random acts of kindness… that is a winner for sure. He stays for awhile, meets my family and then before he goes says that if we wanted to use the Trolley on another outing, that we could do so at no charge. He writes a note to show the other driver that says to let us take a free Trolley ride. Now, we sure did. We went to Granville Island on Steve’s suggestion, and really cannot say enough about his and the company’s kindness.

When you are in a city you don’t know that well, without help or family to support and help you, it was so special to have had Steve reach out and touch us with his kindness. I have told so many people about the Vancouver Trolley and Steve and the impact that that kind of warmth and care had on all of us… tremendous.

Patrick, (who is home and recovering well), Karl, Ben and I- The Weber’s- nominate Steve for his kindness, and for being really good at what he does! We won’t forget it!

Nominator’s Name and Address: Joanne Aldridge Weber

Georgetown, Ontario