2011-12 Excerpts from Recipients’ Letters
“The HOST Program has been an amazing help to me this semester during my often difficult times of need and even when things are looking better but need a little boost. Between keeping me from being stranded or hungry to helping pay rent when necessary, I do not know what I would do without this extra help. If it were not for the help of the HOST program, I do not know where I would be and I would like to offer my thanks.”
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“I was shocked to hear when you were giving me this money as a gift to me. I didn’t know what to say but I will tell you I didn’t think I was much of a good student. I did a lot with the money like buy clothes and food when my mom and me needed it. It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing for a student like me. I can’t thank you enough.” (Note: The school staff confirmed that this student works very hard.)
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“I just wanted to say thank you because I never really had a chance to buy my mom a nice gift. I was really shocked when I first heard there are still good people in this world. The money you give me I used it for basically food and sometimes I give myself a treat like a shirt. My thoughts of you guys are amazing because it sets yourself to do stuff in life because if you wanted to do something but got no money, you can’t do it or wait until your mom has money. I wanted to say thank you and hope you enjoy Christmas as me and my mom will.”
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“With the help of the HOST Program, I was able to help buy food when the house needed it and when we needed gas I would help out and this year for the first time, I was able to buy Christmas gifts for my loved ones and get something for my best friend. Thank you so much for making this possible.”
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“I’d like to thank you very much for what you are doing for me. I really appreciate it and can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity for a post-secondary education, which will make me the first in my family to receive this type of education. On my own, I would not financially be able to send myself to school. There are really no words to express how grateful and appreciative I am. A million times thank you, Merry Christmas.”
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“Because of your generosity and the kindness of all the sponsoring organizations, I have been given a gift that has relieved stress at a time in my life that can be anxiety filled. So far, I have not used any of the money, however I intend to use it in the months to come. I will be making many road trips to Montreal and Toronto in order to audition for theatre programs. These trips can be pricey and this money will really help in covering those costs. Any remaining money I intend to use towards tuition costs. It really does make a difference to receive help when you are in need of some financial assistance. It is also great to know of all the people in our community who have given to this program. One day I intend to do the same for someone in order to pay it forward.”
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“I was one of the lucky people to be chosen as a recipient for the HOST Program this year. I personally wanted to thank everyone for letting me be a part of this group. Having this extra money has helped me because I was able to buy food for my house – things like lunch meat and snacks, so I could make a lunch for school. I was able to give my mom some money to help her out – for instance when she had a car, I would give her gas money. Then her car broke down, so I would give her money to take the bus to work. The monthly money allowed me to buy myself some clothes and some school uniform items which I needed to go to school each day.
At first I felt shocked that I got this opportunity. It made me understand that there are good people out there in the world and my community. Without the donors and Mr. Lussier, this program wouldn’t exist, and we wouldn’t be getting any extra help, and I really appreciate this.
Thank you very much Mr. Lussier and all the donors.”
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“… I have chosen to attend Ryerson University in Toronto. I am extremely excited that I will be entering a program where I am able to work on my craft as well as pursue my passion.
I am truly grateful for all you have done for me. In the next couple of weeks I must make deposits to Ryerson for tuition and residence. I am now planning on using my bursary towards my tuition costs. My family is moving into a new house and there has been changes in my parents’ salaries therefore money has been tight the past couple of months, more so than before. The money you raised is not only a blessing but it has helped alleviate some stress from my life as well as a bit from my mother's.
Thank you for your kindness. I know your father gave you 100 dollars, which was a lot to him at the time. My ultimate goal in life is to just be a good person, and so I therefore will honour the generosity of your father and yourself. I will keep passing it down. I now understand how an act of kindness can really impact someone's life, for you have impacted mine. I am excited for another chapter of my life to begin and I have felt comfort in knowing that there are people willing to extend a helping hand even if they don't know you. I guess that is just an example of the compassion human beings are capable of.
I wish you and your family the best. I hope you really know that you are making a difference.”
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“I’d like to thank you again for everything you have done for me this past year, it is greatly appreciated. You are giving me more opportunities than I could have ever imagined being capable of with all of your help. Thanks to you, I will be the first in my family to have a post-secondary education and that means a lot. I wish I could do more than simply thank you with a letter.”
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“I’m glad that you are giving me this gift, it has given me the chance to do things like buying clothing and food at lunch when I need to get something. I also use the money to help my mom with random things.”