Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day in Maple Ridge, in memory of a young man who died too soon.
Noah Trulsen, 22, passed away six years ago on Oct. 4, while playing in a recreational men's hockey game in Langley. He was part of a popular hockey family in Maple Ridge, and his death during a game reverberated across the hockey world.
This is the fifth annual Random Act of Kindness Day, and Noah's mother Lorraine Trulsen hopes to keep this memorial to her son alive.
"Noah had the heart of a giant and would help anyone that needed it. He loved life, and lived it to the fullest," she said.
Lorraine posts reminders about Random Act of Kindness Day to online hockey pages across Canada and the U.S., and always sees a lot of support.
"We're hoping people take part," she said, noting that in past years people have paid for the groceries of the person behind them at the grocery store, or bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
"It's just about being kind – it doesn't have to be something big," said Trulsen. "You don't know what someone else is going through, and a small act of kindness can make a big difference."
The family makes the day about remembering Noah, but Lorraine said people taking part can do so in the name of their own loved one lost.
"It's still going strong – it's been six years, but people still want to participate," she said.
There are also Noah Trulsen Memorial Scholarships awarded each year in his name, and a fundraiser for the awards is held in the form of a hockey game, banquet and auction.
That event is coming up on Nov. 9 at Planet Ice, and organizers are still looking for hockey players and taking donations.About half of the tickets have been sold.
"It will be a lot of fun," said Lorraine.
For more information see noahtrulsen.com