KW Now!

 

While last Friday was bustling with Random Acts of Kindness (RAK), there was one person; one remarkable man, that stood out across our region that has made “RAK” his personal mantra every day of the year. But for Mr. Dave Kurek, it was business/volunteerism as usual.

 

Many years ago, Dave Kurek was involved in a near-death vehicle collision in Montreal which left him with serious head injuries, and in a coma. To some medical staff at the hospital where he lay, it put into question the quality of life he might wake up to.

 

Dave was not willing to accept what physicians were telling him about how he may have to live his life with serious disabilities. True, his injuries resulted in some physical hurdles which he deals with even today, but he was bound and determined to push himself to achieve whatever he desired, and to bring meaningful change to his community and to the people who reside there.

 

Kurek never accepted the prognosis. He threw caution to the wind, sprang into action, and has been volunteering in his community and at Queensmount Senior Public School for 14 years. He does whatever crosses his mind with intense passion. At Queensmount, he  will work one on one with students who need assistance, and by his very presence as a Go-To person he has helped transform thousands of students and the entire school into a caring, community-driven institution where students have wrapped their minds around the concept of pulling together to make a better place to learn. This confidence has earned him the name Mr. Dave.

 

Mr. Dave Kurek believes that Random Acts of Kindness comes back when you send them out. We can all learn from this. To be selfish is to be human. It’s something that we all fall prey to while attempting to stave off insecurities. It is deflating to succumb to the pettiness of ME and to the selfishness which gnaws away at our self esteem. This is where the Random Acts of Kindness come into play. When we send them out without a thought of them coming back; remarkably, they do come back in amazing ways.

 

Dave initiates RAKs many times a day, and his positive, infectious personality is a testament to how the concept pays and repays when you least expect it. Everyday is pay day for Dave because of his attitude.

 

So how does one person change the world? You change yourself. Dave Kurek, says a friend, has taken on the daunting task of making the world a better place one day at a time, one person at a time, one interaction at a time, one Random Act of Kindness at a time.

 

Last Friday, the RAKs came back for Mr. Dave Kurek in a big way as his school, his family, his friends, and his community honoured him at a tree planting and honorary rock unveiling bearing his name. There wasn’t anyone there who didn’t have a tear in their eyes when Kurek stepped forward to lead the crowd in his famous cheer “A RAK comes baaaaaaaaaaaack”.

 

So for all of us who feel that the high road is a lonely road; fear not, there are people like Dave Kurek there to greet us, to lead us to a better way to live fully and completely.

 

Dave—you’re amazing!

View video of RAK Day at Queensmount School


 

Mr. Dave Kurek and girlfriend Pauline Cobourne

 

Mr. Dave's Rock of recognition



Principle Mark Drummond




Mr. Dave with Singer / former Queensmount student Alex Tintinalli



Mayor Zehr with Dave and family



Kitchener Fire Fighters




Mrs. Grubb accepts cheque from KW Community Foundation





John Camarata with Pauline and Mr. Dave




Alex Tintinalli sings for Mr. Dave and Queensmount Assembly