Located 10 minutes west of Langley, Mydhili Furtado and her family do all their shopping, living, and eating in Langley.
And it’s one of her family’s favourite eateries – Mr. Mikes – that recently presented the 48-year-old accountant with a $100 gift card and a chance to help a charity because she’s been deemed a Good Deed Doer.
Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual runs an annual Deeds Well Done community program, where customers are encouraged to nominate fellow community members because of their good deeds.
Furtado was the latest winner at the Langley restaurant for a variety of her charity efforts throughout the year, including coordinating block parties as fundrasier for Surrey Food Bank, and collecting for Women for Women – a campaign that gives something back to women in shelters.
Part of winning this award means a $500 donation was given in her name to Furtado’s charity of choice.
“I asked them to send it to the Surrey Food Bank,” she told the Langley Advance.
“I believe charity begins at home. Hunger is something you cannot pass up on, and there are so many families, children going hungry everyday. It is quite sad,” she said.
“I remember when my oldest son was in Grade 3, he asked his dad to make him two sandwiches for lunch for school. My husband and I were so happy as this kid barely ate. At the end of the year, we found out that he had a friend in class who’s mom ‘forgot to buy bread’ and so did not bring any lunch. My son had shared his lunch with this boy all school year. He only told us as he was worried about this boy during the summer.
“Ever since then, our whole family supports and fundraises for the Surrey Food Bank, trying to help all those who need a helping hand with food,” Furtado said, explaining her selection.
While she’s not directly involved in the organization, her family is regular donors to the cause.
“My oldest son, has organized events such as Quest Fest, through sponsors to benefit the Surrey Food Bank. I have applied for and won money through The Peak, 107FM for the food bank and we throw an annual block party here every summer. We collect money and canned goods for the Surrey Food Bank and it has been quite the successful program,” she said.
So why is this charity so close to her heart?
“Most of all the funds go to help people, and this charity helps people directly. I have been at Surrey Food Bank and seen the lineups and the endless hours those volunteers at the Surrey Food Bank put in to get the food sorted and have people registered. If you ever visit, the lineups the people, will actually break your heart,” she said.
Giving is a family tradition, Furtado not being the only one passionate about helping others.
“My husband helps out with fundraising for United Way at work, I help out with many of his charities, but also with the Women for Women campaign in December where we collect nice things for women who are in shelter to give them something nice on Christmas Day. It is a charity I piggy back on through my husband’s company initiative. Last year, we collected more than nine huge boxes of items and that was just from my neighbours, friends, and family.
“I, actively volunteer with the schools my kids are involved in. My oldest son is 24, and he used to be a City of Surrey volunteer. My middle son who is 19, is a peer leader at SFU along with volunteering for City of Surrey, school and church. My youngest volunteers at school, church, soup kitchen, and just applied to become a volunteer for City of Surrey. We volunteer and help any day and anywhere.”
As for the $100 Mr. Mike’s gift card that went to Furtado, she hasn’t used it yet.
“My braces are suppose to come out soon. Hoping to treat my family to dinner once my braces come off and I can actually enjoy a nice steak.”
