A friend of mine and his wife pulled up to a gas station to fuel their Honda CRV this week..They are seniors, like me, and while they're doing OK on the financial front, they have medical issues which they are trying to deal with..A Filipino couple came up to them and offered to pay for their gas..They were part of a church organization that goes around doing random good deeds, they said..My friends, to say the least, were deeply touched. Not to mention shocked..They talked, they exchanged hugs, and some tears were shed..All this, at a Calgary gas station in the middle of Nowhere-ville Cowtown..It's at this time, and following this tremendous act of generosity, that I approach Alberta's chief medical officer, Deena Hinshaw..I guess you heard the news..The good doctor received a bonus of almost $228,000 for COVID-19 work in 2021 — the highest such cash benefit payout to any provincial civil servant since the so-called Sunshine List went public six years ago..That figure, on top of her regular salary, put Hinshaw’s pay at more than $591,000..But I'm not writing this to express my outrage, or anyone else's..I'm here to ask Dr. Hinshaw to do the right thing..Give it back..Give it back to the province where you prospered. Give back to Alberta and Albertans. Give it to charity..And if you're wondering just who to give it back to, I can help in that regard..Here is a list of good causes you could donate to ... if you wanted to..I mean, if you really cared..You might not give a damn and buy yourself a nice new Bentley coupe. Or, perhaps the condo in Costa Rica you always wanted..I don't give a flying you know what. I don't..Oh, and by the way, if you do donate, I will also donate, but from my meagre pension which doesn't even cover my rent, I will pay $20 to each and every cause on this list, if you do too..Why? Because I love giving back. I love being a Santa. I love giving back to this great province..I love being a river to my people, to quote Auda Abu Tayi..And I wish and hope you will too..• CKUA — Dear god, what can I say, about these guys. They have kept me alive for decades with great music and it is all public supported. They could really use your help..• Yamnuska Wolf Dog — Oh man, I saw a thing on TV a while back, these folks do great work and they are desperate for help. A few bucks from you would really help..• AARCS — By far, the best cause on this list. These people do amazing work, and I am so happy to donate to help them. Their animal rescues are epic!.• Calgary Wildlife — The Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society is dedicated to treating injured and orphaned wildlife, providing valuable outreach and education services to the community and engaging all volunteers in motivational work and skill building experience ... what the hell more do you need to know!.• Grizzly Bear Foundation — Wow, just ... Wow! The Grizzly Bear Foundation is a registered Canadian charitable organization dedicated solely to the welfare of grizzly bears. When the grizzlies die, we die ... as a people, as a culture. These folks need help..• CUPS — Through integrated programs and services, CUPS builds resilient lives for Calgarians facing the challenges of poverty and trauma. I can tell you, these folks do amazing/brilliant work on the streets of Calgary and we are damn lucky to have them..• Calgary Women's Shelter — I'm sorry, but this is a no-brainer. Fantastic cause..• Calgary Flight Museum — This is a favourite of mine because I believe the city should support this museum more than it is doing so. Every child/student in this city, should tour that Lancaster bomber, and see what our troops sacrificed during the Second World War. They need to see it, for themselves, to touch, feel and breathe it in..• Calgary Food Bank — Again, a no-brainer. They need help. Especially now..• Meow Foundation — One of my favourites, and also Burt, the Red Deer Cat's favourite ... these folks are amazing, and they too need your help to keep doing great things..• Calgary Humane Society — One simply can't say enough about the Calgary Humane Society ... thank God for these diligent, hard-working folks who do so much to give animals better lives..• Rocky Mountain Animal Rescue — Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and find forever homes for highly adoptable animals who simply come from unfortunate circumstances. Wow! Can you believe that!.• Children's Make A Wish — and finally, one of my favourites. I love this group, I really do. They make wishes come true for children with critical illnesses. In other words, they gift joy. And the thought of it just tears me up..Dr. Hinshaw, you can shove this column down the digital drain if you want to, or you can help. It's up to you..I will keep my part of the deal..My parents were good hard-working folk, who taught me to know the difference between right and wrong..The rest I got from watching TV and listening to people like Robert F. Kennedy..The rest, is up to you.
