Love, Hope, and Paint
Steeles Paint raises $25,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
It’s a brisk October afternoon and dozens of people have gathered at the Steeles Paint supercentre to celebrate the latest achievement of Canada’s largest independent paint store. For the past four weeks, the team at Steeles Paint endeavoured to raise money in support of breast cancer research, programs and advocacy. Now that dedication is being actualized with a cheque presentation to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) — Ontario Region. While Steeles Paint set out to give back to the community, it’s thanks to that same community that the team surpassed its goal by leaps and bounds.
The campaign began when Steeles Paint partnered with the CBCF – Ontario as part of its Give Pink program. This provincewide fundraiser generates money for the CBCF – Ontario through proceeds from the sale of items and services at select retailers. During October, Steeles Paint pledged to donate $1 to the CBCF – Ontario for every gallon sold of Benjamin Moore eco-friendly paint and products and Para Paints zero-VOC paint. All month long Steeles Paint was decorated in pink in support of the cause. Staff wore pink corset T-shirts with the slogan “Love, Hope and Paint” printed on the back, and a custom-painted pink tractor was brought in to help raise awareness.
Steeles Paint owner Claudio Grisolia launched the campaign as a way to give back to the community that has supported him and his business for the past 25 years. He explains how the initial goal was $10,000. The response, however, proved greater than predicted — a total of over $25,000 was raised. “To see so many people embrace this cause has just been incredible,” says Grisolia. “This enthusiasm and selflessness really shows how dedicated our friends and family are to supporting one another. This community never ceases to amaze me.”
As guests enjoy pink-themed treats and refreshments at the official cheque presentation, Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua mingles with the crowd, conversing and shaking hands. Former Global TV news anchor Anne Mroczkowski makes a guest appearance and the CBCF – Ontario’s Pink Tour bus is on hand to encourage breast health and share the benefits of screening. To offer further support, Mayor Bevilacqua addresses the audience and presents Grisolia with a $5,000 donation on behalf of the Mayor’s Gala. “We’re honoured and humbled that this endeavour drew so much attention,” says Grisolia. “We’re thankful for all those who joined us in the campaign for a future without breast cancer.”
Giving Comfort and Sharing Joy
It’s the season of emptying our pockets for the sake of gift giving, but all these three worthy causes are hoping for is your attention and increased awareness. These touching stories will prove to inspire peace and happiness in others.
Little Joe’s Heart
Since his birth on June 8, 2013, Joseph Sargeant has undergone two open-heart surgeries and a ventricular assist device procedure. That’s more than many of us will endure in a lifetime — and why? Little Joe was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that has seriously maimed his heart and left him in dire need of a new one. Without it, doctors have given him only a few weeks to live. But though he’s small, Joe is mighty — and he’s being supported by his parents, older brother and twin sister Maggie, who was born without Joe’s condition. The Sargeants can be followed on CarePages, where they’re blogging about Joe’s progress — but to really help little Joe’s cause, the family is asking more people to step up and register as organ donors. In the arms of his loving parents, Little Joe Sargeant passed away on Dec. 4, 2013. We extend our deepest condolences to the Sargeant family, and wish them strength through this difficult time. One donor can save eight lives. Keep the message of organ donation alive.
www.carepages.com
www.beadonor.ca
Ashley’s Angels
Ashley Logan is six years old. This fact may seem ordinary, but to Ashley and her family, it’s a miracle. When she was two, Ashley was struck with pediatric acute liver failure, which is rare and frequently fatal. She needed a new liver and she needed it fast. When Ashley’s aunt donated part of her liver to save Ashley’s life, it inspired the Logans to use their experience to make a difference in the lives of other families going through the same struggle. Today, Ashley’s story of survival is the core of Ashley’s Angels Fund, an organization focused on raising funds to support the Hospital for Sick Children’s lifesaving transplantation programs.
www.ashleysangels.ca
Starlight Children’s Foundation
Every year, Starlight Children’s Foundation selects a seriously ill child to design a toy bear to be sold at Toys “R” Us locations Canada-wide. Spunky seven-year-old
Dylan — who lives with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy — was chosen to build this year’s cuddly friend. With the use of Dylan’s wild imagination, “Beario” was born. Inspired by Dylan’s favourite video game character Super Mario, Beario sports a red star on the bottom of his foot and a cheery smile. Beario can be purchased from Toys “R” Us or Babies “R” Us for $14.99, with a portion of sales benefiting Starlight Canada’s in-hospital and out-of-hospital programs.
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