A commUNITY partnership
Hello all,
Today we have a wonderful blog from someone who knows firsthand just how hard the pandemic has stretched the budgets of those families that are most at risk during a crisis. We here at commUNITY were so happy to partner with such a great organisation, and be able to provide one more essential item for kids going back to school.
--As the Admin & Fundraising Coordinator for a small but mighty non-profit, Community Care of West Niagara (CCWN), I wear many hats…. and now many masks! Since the start of Covid-19 so many things have changed. But one thing that hasn’t is our commitment to help people who need food and other supports in the Town of Lincoln, ON. This is why it is so important that we keep our staff and volunteers as safe as possible so we can continue to be here to serve the community during this pandemic. Thanks to commUNITY and their generous donation of masks our staff and some of our volunteers received them!
Back in the summer, I was very excited to receive an email from Food Banks Canada introducing me to Deanna from commUNITY. This amazing family business has been donating $1 from each mask they sell to Food Banks Canada of which we are a proud affiliate member. We emailed back and forth and decided to partner up for our Back to School program. It was so fun to meet the team/family and get to know them and their passion.
The week of August 24th, 2020, our clients with school aged children came to pick up a backpack full of age appropriate school supplies and many other items. CCWN is part of the Jumpstart program so each child received a new pair of running shoes as well. To add a reusable mask to this package was a huge relief for parents who otherwise had do go out and purchase them. Parents were extremely grateful for this opportunity, because they were able to use their funds for other expenses such as rent and groceries. The kids were excited about getting to pick the colour they liked and since they were all adjustable, the fit was perfect for all of them. This school year is vastly different than previous years, so it was crucial to be able to send these children with all the proper supplies to succeed throughout the upcoming year.
Our partnership with United Way Niagara, Jumpstart, and commUNITY, has allowed CCWN to prepare these kids for the school year. We are so grateful for organizations such as commUNITY, because without them, these kids wouldn’t have been able to attend their first day of school with the mandatory mask bylaw here in the Niagara Region.
I firmly believe that what little inconvenience there is associated with wearing a mask is far outweighed by the sense of comfort knowing that I am doing my part to not spread my germs to others. Stay safe y’all!
Yours in community,
Lynda O’Donnell
Thanks Lynn...seeing up close the difference CCWN makes in your community makes us realize just how important giving back becomes during a crisis.
Colin
Two Teenage Girls start a business and spread some community love. Learn More.