82-летний пенсионер из Британской Колумбии продает кукурузу для сбора средств на лечение детей

Sick children benefit from B.C. senior’s ‘corny’ birthday Published 3:00 pm Thursday, August 13, 2026 Gary Hee decided his 82nd birthday in July was going to be corny and was going to make a difference. He purchased Chilliwack corn which he sold at a couple of different sites. Hee, who lives on the Surrey/Langley border, purchased a lot of corn – 200 dozen or 2,400 cobs – dubbing his project the Chilliwack Corn Express. And it’s been selling well. “I was selling 20 [cobs], I was first selling 50 dozen and 50 dozen and another 50 dozen and 25 dozen, and I was starting to listen to people’s words and they said ‘I’m a cancer survivor.’ and ‘Oh, thank you very much because it’s a nice thing to do’ so I figured that people appreciate what I’m doing.” Sales have so far raised $1,551 which will be donated to BC Children’s Hospital, but the Chilliwack Corn Express will keep rolling through summer 2026. The corn farm matches the amount he buys with free ears and expects to be able to provide him with corn through mid-September. People can expect to find him in the area of 196 Street and 64 Avenue, typically on weekends. The Royal Canadian Legion in Cloverdale reached out to him, offering him a spot to sell corn at a special event on Sept. 12. He’s happy to do sales but is leaving the green thumb work to the experts. “I tried to grow corn this summer, too,” Hee chuckled. “And they’re only about three inches long. So I would not want to sell my own corn.” He’s grateful to Sparkes Corn Barn for giving him the fresh corn at a discount. The senior chose BC Children’s for the important work done there. He’s spent plenty of time at the province’s only hospital specifically for children, where a grandchild had three heart surgeries and other medical care. “It’s not a good thing for children to have to bear so I’m just trying to help them out,” he said. Despite wind, occasional rain, and summer heat, Hee is enjoying himself while selling corn. He’s had people stop by to say they were looking for him on other days or had families purchase corn with the kids smiling at the prospect of a feed of corn for dinner. “It’s kind of fun experience,” Hee said. For the senior, this has also been a connection to his past. “The reason I picked corn was my grandmother. When I was 12 years old, she made corn for me when I visited her in Victoria,” he explained. “She had a corn farm in the back. And it’s kind of like going back historically.” As well, Hee’s mom ran a small store in New Westminster. It was struggling, and he wanted to do something to give her an edge. “I helped her out when I was about 25, just after university, and Mum’s business was kind of slow, competition was next door so I hauled strawberries from Aldergrove,” he said. In recent years, he’s also picked up strawberries from rural Langley for family, friends, and acquaintances. “I like my life, because I help people,” the senior said. . • READ MORE: Shutterbug creates photo exhibit • READ MORE: Seniors Christmas light tour raises about $300 for hospital