Together, We Make A Difference

Story submitted by Wayne Brown

I was surprised, but I should have expected it; after all, they’re Burlingtonians.

Before the Pandemic, Hope Church, on Burloak, supported about 35 families through their “Market”. People donated food and other household items and Judith Alexander, with her team, made sure these were distributed. Last Christmas, largely due to the Pandemic, the numbers had jumped to over 70 families. A friend, Bruce McLean and I were happy to assist and we frequented Fortinos to do so.

Many other stories of need came to light thanks to people as Gayle Kabbash, David Vandenberg, and Councillors Kearns, Bentevigna and Sharman. Some of our shopping was then directed to various other locations across the City (Wellington Square Church). Somehow this didn’t seem quite enough as we approached the Christmas season. One afternoon, I happened to be at CHOP Steakhouse, just outside Burlington, and after a discussion with Ashley Hershon, the GM, it was decided that we would host a turkey dinner for 10 families at the restaurant....5 families from the Burlington Salvation Army and 5 from Hope Church....one stipulation, each family had to have children. A collection was taken up from my friends there. I would have been happy with $500. We ended up with $1200. This was strictly for gifts since Chef Karl at CHOP donated the meal, and a scrumptious meal it was!

A friend, Donna Lewchuck, did the shopping and the restaurant staff volunteered to wrap the gifts. Every one of 39 children received a gift. Donna also made bars of scented soap for all the mothers. Steve Turner, a former student of mine, volunteered to be Santa. Another friend, David Curry, an internationally renowned opera singer, showed up to entertain everyone with carols to the huge delight of the children. The staff also served the meal....special thanks to Josie, Sandra, and Julia. A local businessman has stepped forward to pay for reserving the whole restaurant for one day next December for an even larger event for local families. More on that later.

At the same time, and after a discussion with Jason Stoner, GM of the Burlington Holiday Inn, it was decided to have a “give away” of 30 turkeys at the Inn. Thanks to a generous donation by Jason, Michelle Kindos of Barra Fion, and Mark Grimme from RBC, we even had the funds to include a box of stuffing and a can of cranberry sauce with each turkey. This time the Salvation Army, Janice Martin at Grace Church, and Lesley Mansfield, Director of the Halton Learning Foundation, chose the families. As well, each City Councillor and Mayor Meed Ward were supplied with turkey coupons to give away. A local school principal said that the donated turkey would have been the first Christmas dinner ever for a particular family.

One final person deserves mention. Darren, the owner/operator of Fortinos at New and Appleby offered a huge amount of food which customers kept donating after a Gift of Giving Back & Appleby Line Street Festival food drive in his parking lot, organized by Paul Sharman and his group of volunteers. The items filled my Ford Ranger truck to overflowing. Once again the Market at Hope Church made good use of this gift.

I have tried to name as many as possible who have assisted over the past year. There are more I could name, for example all those who donated to the Children’s Gift Fund. These people are your friends and neighbours. Every one of them probably thought “It was nothing”. However, if you had seen some of the emails of thanks received, or seen the look on the faces of the children as Santa presented his gifts you surely would agree.....”It was something!”.....indeed it was.

I should not have been surprised.