Random act of kindness: 78-year-old man picks up garbage every day around WHGH to give back to his community

(WHGH) Thursday, June 16, 2022 – Every week for the past year, you can find 78-year-old Cornelis Langeveld walking up and down Parkview Road in Hagersville, Ontario.

You will also notice that he is focused on picking up garbage and making the entire area around West Haldimand General Hospital spotless and free of any kind of litter. It’s his way to show kindness to his community and his local hospital.

Cornelis and his wife Heather moved to Hagersville just over a year ago after spending the past 21 years living in Waterford, Ontario. After settling into the area, Cornelis began walking his dog, Martha, around the hospital every day. However, he quickly noticed garbage piling up on both sides of the roadway and wanted to do something about it.

“I started getting sick and tired of seeing all the garbage on both sides of the road, so I said to my wife, I am going to pick some trash up because I don’t want to see it anymore.”

During his first clean-up, Cornelis filled up three large garbage bags full of trash. It was at that moment, the 78-year-old decided that this was something he wanted to do for his community – to help keep it clean.

Cornelis says it also helps keep himself active.

“It gives me a chance to get out. If you sit and do nothing, you will grow lazy and become tired and sore. So it gives me something to do for a few hours each week, and I enjoy the smiles it puts on people’s faces. My wife and I enjoy this area, we have used West Haldimand General Hospital for emergencies, and I wanted to give back. The staff is always good to us here.”

Cornelis continues to spend a few hours each week picking up litter around the hospital and a nearby Secondary school. When asked how long he plans to keep this up, Cornelis was straight to the point.

“I will keep doing it until I cannot do it anymore.”

Thank you, Cornelis, for your commitment to ensuring the entire area around West Haldimand General Hospital and our local Secondary School remains spotless. Everyone at WHGH appreciates the work you are doing for our community. Thank you for making such a big difference, and welcome to the community!