Friday, Nov. 24, 2006
This week's 'Everyday Heroes' -- Canadians who make a difference, but are too modest to sing their own praises -- are a pair of everyday moms who are busy enough raising their own families, but somehow find the energy and desire to help others.

Natalie Maione would know. She's done it six times -- and that's not including the kids she looks after at her home daycare business.

Maione and her close friend Buffy Cassidy both run childcare businesses that would have most of us collapsing from exhaustion at the end of the day.

But this alone does not make them unique; it's what they do after work that makes them heroes.

The two women, both married mothers who have been friends for over a decade, recently took it upon themselves to help refugee families who have just arrived in Canada -- many of whom come to our nation with absolutely nothing.

'Helping with Furniture' is an operation based entirely on Maione's and Cassidy's volunteer efforts with the goal of providing donated furniture to new refugee families.

"It was a little awkward at first because we didn't know how to handle things, how to talk to people," said Maione, who once a week removes all the baby seats from her van to make space for all kinds of "stuff" she collects.

"But it became a lot easier. Both Buffy and I are very social and friendly so as long as we're meeting people, we have fun doing it, basically."

They collect anything and everything that other homes have outgrown, like beds, linens, and things for the kitchen.

"They are so enthusiastic," says Sue McNeil, who donated a bed. "And the things are going to a family from Ghana. A family of seven, living in a two bedroom apartment, and they had absolutely nothing."

Maione and Cassidy are determined to make a difference in the lives of those who have just made it to Canada, and in one year they have already done so for over 50 new families. Their delivery runs often go well past midnight.

"Yes, it can be physically trying," Cassidy tells Global National's Kevin Newman. "But it's such a good feeling after you've delivered the furniture. I go home, it's 2 o'clock in the morning, my family's all in bed, and I can't shut my brain off."

"My energy is just going and you feel so good about what you've accomplished. That's what drives us. It's kind of like childbirth," she adds.

In just one year, 'Helping with Furniture' has grown to the point that the pair cannot keep up with the amount of donations coming in. While there is equal demand for the furniture, there is an even greater need for proper storage facilities and a bigger delivery truck.

"I always wanted to change the world. I wish I had a magic wand and I could just...snap things into place. So I'm just changing the world around me," said Maione, who tells of one instance when they rented a 24-foot truck to deliver furniture to two new Congolese families -- only to be told last minute that the families didn't receive keys to their new accommodations. So they turned around and delivered the furniture to a new family from El Salvador.

"They're coming to Canada, and we say, 'welcome and here's a little hand and here's what we can offer.' And that's it."

Simple words, but coming out of their hearts after exhaustive days caring for children is what makes Natalie Maione and Buffy Cassidy this week's Everyday Heroes.