Daljit Sohi, a 34-year-old truck driver from Calgary, has made headlines recently for his selfless act of kindness after returning a lost purse. This thoughtful gesture, which involved driving three hours to return the belongings to its owner, has sparked widespread gratitude and recognition, drawing attention not only to Sohi's humility but also highlighting the importance of community spirit.
On November 29, during his trip from Calgary to Abbotsford, Sohi made a coffee stop in Golden, British Columbia. While returning to his truck, he noticed Shailly James of High River, Alberta, drop her purse as she drove off. "I didn't even take a washroom break," Sohi recounted, showcasing his dedication to helping others. Realizing the purse contained money, IDs, documents, and even a gold chain, Sohi decided to follow James, hoping to reunite her with her lost items.
James, en route to visit family, initially felt puzzled seeing Sohi's truck following her. "I was like, why is he following me?" she later recalled, noting Sohi's attempts to catch her attention by flashing his lights. When she stopped at a gas station in Sicamous, Sohi approached her to return the purse, leading to her overwhelmed gratitude and an offer of $500 cash reward—a gesture he humbly declined.
Determined to acknowledge his kindness, James tracked Sohi down through the trailer number on his truck, and after several calls, she reached Triple Eight Transport, his employer. She gifted him an iPhone along with a heartfelt note expressing her appreciation. Palwinder Singh, the safety and compliance supervisor at Sohi’s company, noted, "Everybody was so happy about what Daljit had done." Meanwhile, Sohi had kept the incident private, not even sharing it with his family. The company later organized a surprise recognition event for him, highlighting the positive impact of his actions.
Triple Eight Transport's HR Manager, Harpreet Sabharwal, praised Sohi’s modesty by stating, "The gentleman is quite humble to not boast about himself but we were quite surprised in a positive way." Following his selfless act, Sohi now finds himself nominated for the Truckload Carriers Association's Highway Angel Award, recognizing drivers who have made notable contributions to their communities since the program's inception in 1997.
While Sohi's compelling story of kindness captures the essence of community spirit, not all local news is celebratory. The City of Port Moody recently announced its decision to disband the Port Moody Volunteer Firefighters Association, which has been active since the city’s incorporation over 111 years ago. This decision came as part of the city's 2025 provisional budget, which follows findings from a detailed financial review conducted last year.
Tyson Nicholas, who has been with the group for 21 years, shared his disappointment, stating, "It's become part of my nature." He expressed concern for the 15 new team members who had just joined, emphasizing the challenges they might face following the disbandment.
The city cited several factors contributing to this decision, including high volunteer turnover and a drop-off in the use of volunteer firefighters over recent years. Nicholas explained how volunteer firefighters traditionally participated in wildland fire suppression and offered extra support during significant incidents. "There's a lot of peripheral work... and we would be folded... That’s gone down now," Nicholas added.
The shift away from using volunteer firefighters has been attributed to fewer large fires and the rise of other emergency incidents, such as motor vehicle accidents and medical distress calls, which typically do not require volunteer support. Port Moody officials maintained, though, the disbandment would not hinder municipal fire responses, emphasizing additional support through the Greater Vancouver Regional District fire departments, including Coquitlam Fire Rescue.
Interestingly, the city’s budget proposal also includes plans for two new full-time firefighter positions, reinforcing their commitment to community safety even as they phase out the volunteer organization. City leaders plan to meet with former members of the volunteer team to discuss alternative volunteer opportunities within the municipality.
While Sohi's story shines brightly as an example of goodwill and community engagement, the disbanding of the Port Moody Volunteer Firefighters Association reflects the changing needs and dynamics of local emergency responses. Both situations underline the importance of community and volunteer efforts—whether it's through individual acts of kindness or decades-long service—providing residents with important support and resources.
Indeed, all eyes will be on what the future holds for community involvement within British Columbia, both from individuals like Sohi and organizations similar to the volunteer firefighters. With kindness as the common thread, these narratives will resonate deeply within local neighborhoods, enriching the fabric of community life.
