- Don Wells examines a book of souvenirs from last year’s Don’s Journey of Hope. The 2013 event featured a scooter ride from Own Sound to Ottawa. This year Don is riding an e-bike from Wallaceburg to Owen Sound.
“Hey Lou, can you find my awards? Jim wants to see them.”
Thus begins an interview with Don Wells, a Wallaceburg native and lifelong social activist who’s lived life on both sides of the tracks – and sometimes right in the middle.
Talking with Don can be a verbal sparring match, reflecting the fact that as a former boxer and tough man contestant, he was constantly on the move, throwing punches and ducking knockouts. It’s difficult to keep him on one topic when he sees so many issues that need attention.
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Right now, his focus is on raising donations to embark on Don’s Journey of Hope for Cancer, an e-bike ride from Wallaceburg to Owen Sound that will begin June 28 and end 12 days later.
He had wanted to go across Canada, but his own stage-four prostate cancer has changed his plans.
“I get so tired these days and I have to be in London (hospital) regularly so I just can’t do it,” he said. “I think this is my last trip. I can’t seem to fight the infections any more.”
Last year, he raised several thousand dollars for an Owen Sound soup kitchen and homeless shelter as he took an electric scooter from that city to Ottawa in time for Canada Day.
Presently, his partner Mary Lou Eheler returns with a stack of awards, certificates and plaques almost as tall as she is.
“He won’t let me put them up,” she said. “They’re either in a closet or in a spare room.”
“It’s not about me,” Wells said. “I’m glad that the cause is recognized, but there are people who do a lot more than I do.”
Nevertheless, a quick look through the pile shows a letter from Canada’s Governor General David Johnston, a photo of Wells being congratulated by astronaut Chris Hadfield after last year’s journey and scores of citations from mayors and MPPs across southwestern Ontario recognizing Wells for some 50 years of community service.
Despite his current cancer, a previous bout with colon cancer, a knee replacement and the aches and pains of his athletic career, Wells isn’t done giving as he approaches his 65th birthday.
His first experience was with his father Don Sr. (a longtime Wallaceburg town councillor) when his dad helped found the Wallaceburg Minor Lacrosse Association.
“I was a coach at 15 and I think I learned more than my players,” he said. “My dad’s philosophy was that you should be doing something to help others.”
The highlight of his tough man career was a bout at the Pontiac Silverdome when he won an international match representing Canada.
“Leon Spinks and Tommy Hearns were in my corner as celebrity trainers,” he said. “They wanted me to fight in Europe but I’d had enough.
“I wasn’t a nice person in a lot of ways back then,” he said. “I should have been a better father and husband. My heart was in the right place but I had issues with drugs and alcohol.
“I finally figured it out that my problems weren’t everybody else’s fault. They were mine and I had to find a way to deal with them.”
After decades away from substance abuse, Wells has perspective and strong opinons on social issues such as homelessness. You may not like what he has to say, but he’s going to tell you anyway.
“People think that if they don’t see the homeless, they don’t exist. Let me tell you something, if you live in Wallaceburg, Chatham or Sarnia, you see homeless people every day,” he said. “I’ve been where they are. Most are good people who just need a hand.”
One of four founders of the Inn of the Good Shepard in Sarnia more than 30 years ago, as well as the River City Vineyard homeless shelter in that city, Wells is frustrated by the lack of understanding of the problem.
“The City of Sarnia has just spent tens of thousands of dollars fighting a zoning battle regarding River City,” he said. “Imagine how many people they could have helped with that money.”
He said politics often get in the way when the focus should be basic human dignity.
“How can we turn our backs on people or ignore problems because they don’t fit into the right categories? What about the basic human need for food and shelter?”
Wells said its clear Wallaceburg needs a homeless shelter and Chatham does too.
“It’s an open secret that there were homeless people living at the (former) Hillerich and Bradbsy building when the fire broke out,” he said. “The problem is that if the authorities admit to homelessness and the need for a shelter, they have to try and find money to help them. It’s becoming a very hard world for people who really aren’t any different than you or I am.”
Wells said he’s replaced the word “me” with the word “joy,” when describing his life.
“Joy for me stands for Jesus, Others and Yourself, in that order,” he said. “When you get closer to the end of your journey on this Earth, what’s important becomes more clear all the time. It’s a gift I was glad I was able to accept.”
For more information
What’s needed
Funds for gasoline and food
A generator to charge the e-bike
A set of tires for the bike.
A small RV or camper trailer
Wells can be reached at 519-328-1363
Email at donsjourney@gmail.com
Any TD bank branch attention Don’s Journey of Hope account.
Excellent