Vancouver Sun

Smile: `Let them know they count'

- GORDON MCINTYRE gordmcinty­re@postmedia.com twitter.com/gordmcinty­re

A couple of decades ago after Angela Neufeld's then-husband had been in a serious car accident, she would visit the hospital, toddlers in tow.

She noticed that for some of the hospital staff — not all, but for many — patients were numbers. Categorize­d and objectifie­d.

“Like he wasn't a person or didn't have a name,” Neufeld said. “And I thought, `Gee, you know, everyone has a name, everyone deserves the time of day no matter what the circumstan­ce or what the issue.' ”

Neufeld didn't work in the hospital system then, but she does now as a food services worker at Peace Arch, along with her volunteer duties at the Surrey Christmas Bureau and cooking business at the legion.

“Angela does her rounds and tries to make each visit to each person special,” Debbie Zimmer said in her nomination of Neufeld as a COVID-19 hero. “She remembers names, dates, and listens and chats with each patient every day.

“The task of delivering food has become a challengin­g chore in an already challengin­g day. Angela truly takes an interest in each person she encounters.”

Neufeld volunteers at the Surrey Christmas Bureau, where she is depot manager. And she runs the kitchen, MacKarino's, at the legion in South Surrey, where she knows every legion regular by name, takes an interest in them and knows how many children and grandchild­ren each has, Zimmer said.

Neufeld's days at the Christmas bureau began at 7 a.m., organizing gifts and food for families, then she would head to her 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Peace Arch shift.

“When COVID first hit back in March, Angela distribute­d all the food from the legion restaurant to people unable to get out,” Zimmer said. “She drove from house to house and gave away all the food. Asking nothing in return but a smile and an assurance that you would be OK.

“Angela stops and talks to anyone and everyone. I like to say that Angela could talk to a rock and the rock would talk back.”

Where does she find the time? Neufeld has a lot of energy. Her kids have flown the nest. Her partner, Heather, is very understand­ing.

Neufeld's dad was a longshorem­an. Growing up, she never lacked for anything. She didn't realize some do.

Neufeld has had a COVID-19 granddaugh­ter arrive, little baby Stella, the shining light for the family during these dark times. Stella was named after Neufeld's grandmothe­r, who was born in Strathcona in 1910.

“I feel there are a lot of people out there who could use help,” she said. “We don't even see them, they could be in your kid's school and need a little more physically, emotionall­y.”

So there's not a person she walks by and doesn't say hello to, or good evening. Or pull over to see if they need a ride as they struggle with grocery bags on the way home. Everyone deserves a lift or a smile at some time during the day.

“And really, it's not that hard when you're walking about, acknowledg­ing we're all humans. Anyone can be going through any kind of circumstan­ce or crisis. A little hello or smile will put a smile on someone else's face and let them know they count, that they mean something.”

 ?? RICHARD LAM ?? Angela Neufeld is a food services worker at Peace Arch Hospital, a cook at the legion in South Surrey and a volunteer at the Surrey Christmas Bureau. She learned early on that everyone could use a smile — and some just need a little more help than others, particular­ly during a pandemic.
RICHARD LAM Angela Neufeld is a food services worker at Peace Arch Hospital, a cook at the legion in South Surrey and a volunteer at the Surrey Christmas Bureau. She learned early on that everyone could use a smile — and some just need a little more help than others, particular­ly during a pandemic.

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