Locking Down Love this Holiday Season
-
Hosts of the launch, Cat & Nat, joined by the event ambassador, Katie Zeppieri | Photo courtesy of Render Media -
100% of the funds will be donated to SickKids | Photo by Raph Nogal Photography -
Take part by buying a lock, you can buy one lock for $15 and two for $25 | Photo by Raph Nogal Photography -
Visit the Love Lock Wall at Vaughan Mills until Christmas Eve | Photo courtesy of Vaughan Mills
If you find yourself at Vaughan Mills this year, keep your eyes peeled for more than just sales — watch for the Love Lock Wall. Inspired by one of the most prominent symbols of love, the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, the Love Lock Wall has been a feature during the holiday season at Vaughan Mills for the past three years as a fundraiser for SickKids.
The official launch party took place on Giving Tuesday to kick off the festive season and featured musical performances, a live painting by Anthony Ricciardi and even a cookie station for kids.
This year, the launch was hosted by YouTube stars Cat & Nat. After taking part themselves, they were inspired after witnessing the response that this event received from the community. “Just to see how many people came and the passion behind it was something that was amazing,” says Cat of this annual campaign. “It was also really nice that it was a family event, so parents brought their children, [and] they could explain what it was all about,” says Nat.
The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness and funds for SickKids. With each lock purchased (one for $15 or two for $25), 100 per cent of the proceeds will go toward SickKids. The funds raised from Santa’s Tiny Big Town at Vaughan Mills will also be donated. Almost half a million dollars has been raised since this initiative began.
Since its inception, the event has had Katie Zeppieri as its ambassador. A former SickKids patient herself for 18 years, her personal connection to SickKids and her ambitions and successes in life are as symbolic as the goals behind this very campaign.
“We as humans sometimes don’t know how to handle tragedy, pain or suffering, but one way that we can respond is by small actions of kindness,” says Zeppieri. “I feel that this Love Lock Wall campaign is an opportunity for people to do just that — to leave a little mark, make a little impact, that together means so much and will make such a difference.”
The Love Lock Wall will remain a fixture in Vaughan Mills until December 24, so be sure to head over and take part in this worthy cause. Buy a lock and make your mark not only on the wall, but also for the greater cause behind this campaign.
No Comment