Two lovely ladies of Sylvan Lakes will sparkle a little brighter this Christmas thanks to the compassion and kindness shown by one local woman.
Kjeryn Davis, a local business owner and Sylvan Lake Rotary Club member, is hoping to put a smile on the faces of a few families by offering up two white sapphire rings to two men in need of gifts to give to their significant others on Christmas morning.
Davis explained in an interview with Sylvan Lake News she knew this Christmas would be tough for many local families with the downturn in the economy and many men and women unemployed, rendering them unable to buy gifts for their loved ones this year.
“I know what that’s like - I remember being really little, my dad worked in the oilfield and there were years where I knew my parents were struggling,” Davis explained of her childhood. “I knew that even though I was getting that beautiful Barbie I had asked for, it was because my dad was going to work at the cement mill on the side to pay for my gifts - I also knew that meant my mom wasn’t getting anything that year other than what we made her.”
“I would be eight, opening my awesome Hawaii Barbie and I would see my mom getting her chocolates out of her stalking and that’s it. NowI’m a mom and I know even more how nice it is to open something sparkly on Christmas morning,”
Davis posted two photos of the rings on Facebook on Dec. 7th with the message, ‘This economy has been hard on a lot of people so I want to give some men in the Sylvan Lake community who have lost their jobs recently private message nice gift to give to their wife or girlfriend. Please private message me and I will pick two people Dec. 23 based on your story.’
Since the post she has received nearly 40 stories from local men detailing the stories of the incredible women in their lives.
“Many of the men sending me stories are saying they are having to put their pride to the side. Men want to be the provider but some men know that this year they’re not going to be able to get their loved ones anything because they’re out of work so they’ve been very appreciative,” she said. “Reading these stories about how the women in their lives are their rocks and carrying them through these tough times and all they want this Christmas is to be able to thank them,”
“We’re in a small town so it’s all private - all of the stories people send me are between me, the sender and the Lord.”
She explained her only regret was not picking up a gift for a woman to perhaps give to a man as she recognizes there are also many women who provide for their families who are also out of work currently. She added she hopes to do the initiative every year and next year would like to have a gift for both sexes.
Davis will be accepting stories until Dec. 22 via email or Facebook message after which she will narrow it down to 10 stories and do a random draw so the two recipients will have the rings on Dec. 23. She asks those wishing to do so to please email stories to Bukwildz@gmail.com.
editor@sylvanlakenews.com