Taxi driver's honesty impresses customer

Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn
Published Dec. 10, 2003



Chalk it up to the good deeds department.

Burnaby resident Aman Pal Singh Sara was more than relieved when he recovered his wallet, complete with $500 cash, after he inadvertently left it behind in a Bonny's taxi last month.

Sara, who may be best known as the cousin of former B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh, dropped the wallet as he was exiting the cab near the busy 5000-Kingsway Plaza.

Although he leads an active life, Sara suffers from multiple sclerosis and often has difficulty moving around. It wasn't until several minutes later, when he was inside London Drugs, that he noticed the wallet was missing and realized it was either lying on the ground in the parking lot, or still inside the cab.

Naturally, Sara assumed that getting his wallet back would be a long shot. If it was on the ground, somebody was likely to have picked it up and absconded with the cash. And if it was in the cab, tracking down the driver would be a challenge because he was a flagged fare and did not write down the cab's number.

"Having been a cab driver myself during my early years of immigration to Canada ... I'm well aware that in this kind of situation, the outcome entirely rests upon the integrity of the person who first happens to see or find such an article," Sara told the Burnaby NOW. "I have to admit that given the circumstance, my chances of seeing my wallet again were relatively slim."

Sara backtracked his steps and was unable to find the wallet on the ground. Then he called Bonny's dispatch and reported the loss.

As he struggled through a description of what had happened - lo and behold - the very same cab turned back into the parking lot, with the driver waving the recovered wallet through the open window.

"I can't describe in words the relief I felt from my anxiety," Sara said. "This may seem like a minor issue, but it meant a lot to me."

The cab driver, Parminder Parmar, refused to accept a small reward, but Sara made sure that a formal commendation was documented in his professional driver's portfolio. Deservedly so!

SANTA PARADE A SUCCESS

Many thanks are due to the businesses and volunteers who helped make the first annual Lions Club Burnaby Santa Claus parade a smashing success two weeks ago.

The folks at Second Street community school, who won the 'most enthusiastic' trophy for their large contingent of energetic children, offered their thanks to a long list of Santa's helpers.

At the top of thank you list was the Burnaby Lions Club, especially parade 'King' Phil Henderson, who created the spark to get the event up and rolling. Kudos also go to Gord-Ron Auto, Budget Rent-a-Car, and RONA (Revy).

Individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty included Ken and Margaret Widmer, Janet Kyle, Diana Croswell, Donna Savoie, John Klassen, Don Gerow, Georgie Cole, Pat Nichols, Laurie Ward, Balbir Bains, Gary Rostron, Dave Fletcher, Tamy Ozero, Denise Mahaichuk, Sue Eastwood, Amanda Cababe, all the students who joined the walk, plus the choir.

NEW WHEELS FOR SBNH

The South Burnaby Neighbourhood House is getting a new van, just in time for Christmas.

The local nonprofit association will be presented with Sunshine Coach #459, the 33rd such van sponsored by long-time Variety Club members and Cathie and Jack Wood in memory of their daughter Colleen.

Purchase of the handicap-accessible van was made possible thanks an $18,000 fundraising effort from the Neighbourhood House, the Woods' annual fundraiser held at the Mountain Shadow Pub each february, and the efforts of a long list of other contributors.

Also onside for this purchase were the Alexandra Foundation, Burnaby Metrotown Rotary Club, Hydrecs Fund, Comcare Health Services, the City of Burnaby, Burnaby Firefighters, and all those who participated in the first annual South Burnaby Neighbourhood House car rally.

The van will help neighbourhood house meet the transportation needs of many Burnaby families involved in a long list of supportive programs. These include school-age childcare, homework clubs, summer day camps, family place drop-in, youth leadership programs, community events and community kitchens.

The van will be presented to SBNH at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at the head offices of the Variety Club, 4300 Still Creek Dr.