HALIFAX STANFIELD AIRPORT: What started out as simply stuffing a sack full of Christmas presents, has soared to new flights—and could grow even bigger next year.
At least that’s the hope of Tracy Sperry, co-founder with son Jack of a holiday tradition that sees the collection of items for families in need in memory of her son and Jack’s late brother Owen.
The Timberlea youngster died in a motor vehicle collision on Jan. 23, 2013.
After Owen’s death, to get some joy for the holidays for Jack, and admittedly for herself too, Tracy and Jack came up the idea of helping other families in need. Boy has it grown since that first time.
“My heart is completely overwhelmed, seeing the support here today,” said Tracy Sperry as bags and bags of gifts were brought in and presents were packed into the LifeFlight helicopter, with the help of paramedics and Santa. ”I don’t even have the words for today. This is touching so many lives.”
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Six years ago the family partnered with EHS LifeFlight, holding the first Stuff A Helicopter toy drive in 2018. EHS was a big part of the tragic day, and the families support networks.
At EHS LifeFlight near the Halifax Stanfield Airport, employees participated in the sixth annual Stuff a Helicopter event. It was held in conjunction with the Sperry family as a way to continue to remember Owen and show how he continues to impact community groups and those in need.
Toys were dropped off by community members and volunteers, and EHS Paramedics, and quickly filled one of the EHS LifeFlight helicopters.
The toys will go to the IWK Hospital, while items for a long-term care home in Bridgewater, the Marguerite Centre; Phoenix Youth Programs; Feed Nova Scotia, and other community groups helping unhoused individuals were also collected.
Tracy said everyone could use a little joy, and the support on this day definitely provided that.
“I think it’s a little extra special too, because we wish lists from every organization that we get so we really focus in on what people are wanting,” she said.
This year the outreach of presents will include some gifts going to those at the Gated Community encampment in Lower Sackville on Cobequid Road.
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Tracy and her group don’t get much time off either from shopping for the following year. In fact, she said they’ll be back out at it on Dec. 27
“We shop all year round, and any donations I’m getting now are already in for the next year,” said Tracy. “
She said it’s a small group, herself, Jack, and her husband, but mostly her that start the shopping.
They are then joined by the folks at EHS, LifeFlight, PAL, Canadian Helicopter, and the two hotels she used to work at Hotel Halifax and Barrington Hotel.
It started out as Tracy and Jack just packing a sack with gifts. Then into her vehicle, and then it grew to her husband’s truck too. That’s when an idea came along from a friend of Tracy’s at EHS to partner up and so they did.
She said EHS has been part of their life since that tragic day.
“EHS was a hug part of our accident, unfortunately,” she said. “They were very much involved, and to see what they do every day and hear some of their stories along the way.”
“That’s another thing with some of the places we touch, to hear their stories opens your eyes to a whole new world that you don’t really know exists.”
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Paramedics Crystal Upshaw and Kevin Carey thought it be a cool partnership if they joined with them to help others.
“We thought they could ride on our wings with the helicopter to bring more awareness to them to get more donations,” said Upshaw. “We thought what they were doing was amazing.”
The helicopter was filling up as they spoke to The Laker News.
Upshaw said she and Cary were talking one night on shift years ago about how they could help the family. And the partnership is what transpired out of that conversation.
“To see what it’s turned into is pretty amazing,’ said Upshaw. “I think we’re both proud of it.”
Carey agreed.
“To do this in conjunction with the Sperry family is also important to help them remember him and get closure,” said Carey.
Upshaw said Tracy puts her heart and soul into making gifts individuals.
“There’s a lot of thought and love behind everything she does,” she said.
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Tracy was asked what her hope is for people receiving the gifts.
“I hope it makes their day brighter and happier,“ she said.
“I really want to get the message across that you can have something bad, something terrible happen in your life, and there’s always a better side to it.
“You can always get through your difficult times.”
And seeing what Tracy and those at EHS LifeFlight does in memory of Owen is a true Act of Kindness.
