Trump ‘thank you’ note treasured by collector

In a world of political cynicism and voter apathy, Doug Kavanagh is the ultimate engaged citizen.

And now his growing collection of correspondence with leaders and news editors across Canada and the world has another addition: a thankyou note from U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Dear Douglas,” reads the emailed letter marked “The White House” under the presidential seal. “Thank you for your kind letter and generous words of support.

“Your encouragement, and that of millions around the world, sustains us every step of the way. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.”

Kavanagh, a 62-year-old electrician from Bauline, N.L., said it showed up in his email Tuesday after he wrote Trump three times in recent months offering feedback.

It’s the sort of standard response sent to thousands of other people, he said. But it means more to the avid letterwriter and political watcher who says he has reached out to people in power since he was a teenager.

“It’s memorabilia to me,” he said in an interview. “When different issues come up, I think that if you don’t say something, you don’t make a difference. I just try to participate but I don’t want to be part of the political system.”