Lisa Paul Gives Back to Fredericton Homeless Community in Memory of Her Brothers
Lisa Paul, inspired by the struggles of her two brothers with addiction and homelessness, has embarked on a mission to give back to the homeless community in Fredericton. Paul’s brothers, Anthony and Josh, battled addiction and homelessness before tragically passing away. Motivated by her grief, Paul decided to take action and help those in need on the anniversary of Josh’s death.
It all started with a simple Facebook post, where Paul reached out to her neighbors in Doaktown and her co-workers in Fredericton, asking for small donations in the form of Tim Hortons gift cards. Her goal was to provide homeless individuals with enough funds to purchase a coffee, a doughnut, access a restroom, or find warmth. To her surprise, the response was overwhelming, and she soon found herself collecting 70 to 80 gift cards.
Driven by the unexpected support, Paul decided to expand her initiative. She planned to prepare homemade Christmas dinners to distribute on Boxing Day. Word spread quickly, and friends, co-workers, and even local businesses began offering their assistance. A nearby church offered its kitchen for meal preparation, a dental office donated toothbrushes and toothpaste, friends contributed knit socks and hats, and even the Canadian military provided cutlery packets.
After two weekends of baking and organizing, Paul now has 130 complete turkey dinners ready to be handed out in takeout containers. With an estimated homeless population of approximately 100 in Fredericton, her meals will likely make a significant impact.
To ensure smooth distribution, Paul has enlisted the help of friends who will drive around delivering meals and warm clothing that has been collected. Despite the magnitude of the project, Paul remains humble, acknowledging that she’s just one woman who managed to rally those around her to make a difference this Christmas.
Lisa Paul’s motivation stems from the memory of her brothers, with whom she shared a deep connection. Particularly close to Josh, who worked at a Salvation Army in British Columbia, Paul was moved by the outpouring of gratitude she received from the people he had helped with their addiction and homelessness issues. Josh’s selflessness and unwavering desire to aid others serve as an inspiration to Paul.
Moreover, Paul emphasizes the importance of addressing mental illness, as she has witnessed the destructive path it can lead to, such as drug addiction and homelessness. She believes that providing access to counseling, addiction services, and education is crucial because homeless individuals are often overlooked and neglected.
We need to understand that they need help. They’re humans who need assistance too, she emphasized.
Through her determination and the support of her community, Lisa Paul hopes to make a lasting impact on the homeless population of Fredericton. Her efforts demonstrate the power of turning grief into positive change and offer a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
