A Cup of Gratitude: A Young Father Finds a Way to Give Back

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, Dong Nyeok (Neo) — now a general warehouse manager at De Mello Coffee Roastery — became a father for the first time. It was September of 2020, at the outset of COVID-19, and Neo had only just moved to Canada that very month from South Korea.

“I had really just arrived in this new country and it seemed right away we were heading to the hospital,” says Neo. “We came to North York General (NYGH) and everything was just so different for me and not to mention very tense because of COVID.”

A Cup of Gratitude: A Young Father Finds a Way to Give Back

Acts of Kindness

While he describes the delivery as a joyful, overwhelming blur, there is one moment — beyond the first meeting of eyes between Neo and his precious daughter Annika — that Neo says both he and his wife will never forget.

“By the time we had arrived and delivered, mealtime was done and we didn’t have a chance to order food. A nightshift nurse who had just come on saw us and said without hesitation, ‘I have a sandwich in my bag that I brought for lunch’, and then insisted we take it.”

It was that small but moving act of kindness that kicked off a course of care that Neo says continues today and makes him feel safe knowing that as his family grows, NYGH will be there.

“From there, the nurses helped out so much, kept asking how my wife Lea was feeling, and checked on the baby. Because we were very new parents, we didn’t know how to change a diaper or wipe properly, so they showed us all that with no judgment.”

A Community of Care

Since that time, a second baby — a son, Taavi —has been born for Neo and his wife at NYGH, and with the growing of his young family, a few frightening trips to the emergency room with high fevers and, in one case, RSV.

But Neo says he’s been able to learn and grow stronger as a dad knowing that the hospital is nearby and adds that when he heard about the partnership that his company, De Mello, had recently made with North York General Foundation, he was thrilled.

“So for every bag of our Healing Grounds coffee that is purchased, $2 will be donated to the Foundation,” he explains. “As I understand it this contribution will help towards the areas of greatest needs at the hospital.”

Neo says that nearing three years as an employee for De Mello, he’s come to understand that the company doesn’t just have a sincere passion for coffee, but for getting involved in the community.

“This is not just a store that’s disconnected from customers,” he says. “We are here to serve them, are very focused on how we can give back to the people around us.”

Paying it Forward

He explains that De Mello team has always lived by the motto that small actions build a better community, and through doing his own part day-to-day – such as the packaging of the Healing Grounds beans – he’s found a tangible way to give back to those who cared for him and his family.

“It’s a small thing, but to me that ability to do something that in some small way, that helps me express my gratitude to this hospital and what they’ve done for me and my family and to say ‘hey I’m here for you too’. It’s very meaningful to me.”

Neo adds that since De Mello partnered with the Foundation as part of this generous show of support, he has discovered with surprise that his wife was born at NYGH as well.

“So I guess this really is our family hospital,” he says with a laugh. “I’m proud to give back.”

Neo’s tip for enjoying Healing Grounds, a blend of Brazil Dancing Goats (70%) and Ethiopia Bensa (30%), priced at $16.00:

“Myself—I enjoy the process of grinding the coffee beans and smelling the dry aroma. The Ethiopian coffee bean adds a nice, floral note with hints of berries. I recommend drinking it black—it already has a good flavour and texture. Sit by the window, enjoy it in the sun, and listen to the birds singing.”

Looking for more information about De Mello and the Healing Grounds campaign? Find it here.