With all of the doom and gloom in the news lately, it’s sometimes hard to find the brighter sides in life and that’s why I was so excited to be sent me this touching video made by @Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for a very special Oilers fan.

A few days ago, Lynn Farrugia put out a tweet asking her followers if they could do a favour for her as a means of cheering up her 85-year-old father, Jim, who battles with dementia. According to Farrugia, her dad, a lifelong hockey fan, has been missing his day program that was understandably cancelled as a result of COVID-19, and she was hoping that a few messages/letters/pictures from Twitter would help to brighten his spirits.

That’s when the fine folks at ATB Financial and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins found out about the request and stepped in with a very kind gesture that was as touching as it was generous. Not only did Nuge take a minute to make a personalized video for Jim, even commenting on the bird carvings that he so diligently carved himself, but the fine folks at ATB also stepped up with a signed RNH jersey that will be sent to his home.

After seeing the video, Farrugia followed up with a tweet to express her gratitude:

It’s this kind of stuff that makes me proud of the way this community is pulling together through this impossibly tough time. Even though it only took a minute of his time, Nugent-Hopkins didn’t have to make a video for Jim and ATB didn’t have to follow up with a jersey, but it’s this type of kindness that makes the world feel a little bit brighter at a time when we could all use a little more love. So to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the folks at ATB Financial, thank you for using your platform to do good in the world and making Jim’s day — you guys are the best.

Now, is someone cutting onions in here? It’s either that or my place got a little bit dusty all of a sudden.