Selfless act from anonymous Portager keeps family legacy alive

Portage la Prairie has always had an enormous sense of volunteerism, and a local man who wants nothing in return really proves that. 

Ardelle Harrison, originally from Portage and now residing in Ontario, found herself facing a dilemma regarding keeping up with her parent's tombstones. As an only child with aging family members in the area, she looked everywhere for a solution to ensure the care of her family's graves at Hillside Cemetery. With friends and family unavailable, she contacted the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) for assistance.

Harrison ended up connecting with Aaron Pierre, the Urban Indigenous Community Coordinator with the PCRC. Pierre says he had been going to the Hillside Cemetary with a local named Ken once a week and knew he was the right person for the job.

Ken, the volunteer who preferred to keep his full name private, says he doesn't want anything in return, including attention. He prefers the good deed itself remains the focus, in hopes that maybe others will step up and do something nice for someone else.

"I just like to do it because it helps honour and remember them, and I know how other families feel when they can't get there, worrying that the plot's not being looked after."

When Ken cleans the Harrison headstone, it is no little task. Ken attends to the family's plots by cleaning the headstones and weeding around them, ensuring they are so clean that you can see the sky in the granite. 

Harrison was grateful, mentioning that Ken agreed before knowing where the burial plots were.

 "We ended up being neighbours; our families are resting close to each other." Harrison continues, "I couldn't be more thankful for the work that the PCRC and Ken do. It is clear to me that Ken's mom raised him very well." 

Ken's selfless acts of kindness extended beyond grave care. Pierre shared a touching moment when Ken generously contributed money to buy donuts for the Men's Shed gathering, showcasing his continual commitment to the community.

The Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation plans to continue supporting Ken's efforts, especially as winter approaches.

Ken's compassion helped fill a void for Harrison and shows our community's true spirit of volunteerism. Ken's unassuming generosity serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful acts are the ones done quietly, without expecting anything in return.

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