Esther Grapengeter would never have thought so many people could be so generous.
But she has witnessed it first hand as one of 50 women who took part in the Church in the Valley’s recent fall single mother oil change.
The church’s Acts of Kindness (AOK) ministry offers semi-annual oil changes, where a team of about 30 volunteers donate their time to change out oil and filters, conduct basic vehicle overviews, and offer basic advice and tips in the garage – all the while the moms are inside getting manicures, hairstyling, free clothes, hot drinks, and snacks.
It’s just one of the ways AOK attempts to change lives, and Grapengeter speaks to how this outreach effort has impacted the lives of her and her three children.
“Single mom’s lives are full of challenges… this is something I have learned first hand,” she shared. In 2014, she left what she described as “an abusive marriage” to find a new path for her family.
“Our journey has been full of tears, brokenness, loss, leaving everything behind, and new beginnings, hope, help, and healing,” she said.
“One of the big helps in our life has been God’s family, and kind community help. AOK has reached out to us, in love, with community service, fun times, and one of our favourites, the single mom’s oil change,” Grapengeter said.
“We look forward to getting our nails done, and our hair beautified, and climbing the rock wall while our vehicle is loved on.”
“When you help a single mom, the blessing is multiplied. Her cup of joy is filled, and spills over to her children, and then her family can overflow with joy and bless others.”
RELATED COVERAGE: Free oil change and kindness efforts in Langley drawing church attention
In addition to the oil change events, the AOK ministry also provides a cars for moms program, the breakfast club, summer and day camps for kids, the Extreme Home Repair projects, a single mom’s support group, and the new Nightshift initiative whereby volunteers feed the City’s homeless Thursday nights.
OTHER INITIATIVES: AOK took Langley home and ‘made it amazing’
Acts of Kindness has supplied food, education, shelter, support, and compassion to thousands of individuals in Aldergrove, Langley, and beyond, said Seventh Day Adventist pastor Michael Dauncey.
“AOK is passionate about connecting people who have a heart for their community with the resources and tools needed to enrich the lives of their neighbours and friends,” he elaborated.
Among the newest initiatives is a free dental day, or in this case days. It’s already booked solid with 175 people registered, and a “massive” waiting list, Dauncey said.
“Sadly, we don’t have any more room,” he elaborated, noting that on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 4 and 5, five dentists with chairs are coming into the church to provide free check-ups, extractions, fillings, and cleanings.
“It’s going to be quite an event, I think,” he said.
“We’re keeping this our gift to the community,” Dauncey added, hoping to see the program expand in future to include optometry, and ultimately an entire health screening day.
In the meantime, AOK is also hosting a Dinner with the Doctor a day later, on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Again, it’s a free event, and it still has spaces available, he emphasized. As of Wednesday, there are 80 signed up, but there’s room for 200.
“We’re going to host a free plant-based meal for whoever wants to come. We’re going to teach them how to cook it, and we have a doctor who’s going to come up from Seattle,” Dauncey said.
Off and on for the past 16 years, AOK has been offering an annual or semi-annual Natural Lifestyle Cooking School.
“This is just taking it to a new level, changing it up a bit,” Dauncey said, noting people will be given a 20-minute cooking demonstration about how to cook plant-based meals, a dinner, and an hour-long presentation (including a question-and-answer period) with Dr. Tim Riesenberger, an emergency physician with what he calls “a passion for preventative medicine.”
“Most people never take the time to stop and think about their health until there is a health crisis or serious diagnosis,” Dauncey said, explaining that the doctor will speak to the benefits of a holistic approach to healthy living.
“We just think that people nowadays really want to know more about healthy eating, longevity, and so that’s what the doctor is actually speaking on – the Blue Zones and how to live to 100. And, it’s free. It’s absolutely free.”
Doors for this dinner event open at 5 p.m., and again it is being held at the church, 23589 Old Yale Rd. But advance registration is required by calling 604-514-8335 or visit www.actsofkindness.ca/doctor2018.
