Thank You!

Sorry for the delayed post — we took a few much-needed days of family time. As we ring in the New Year tonight, I just want to take a moment to say thank you for yet another truly incredible year. This is a long post (and I apologize!), but it’s one filled with so much gratitude.

This year, we were able to provide Christmas gifts for 660 children — something that would not have been possible without the unbelievable support of this community.

A huge thank you to the Hughsons Group — Hughson Barriers, Lennox Fence Inc., Oomens Glass, and Storage 41. From sponsoring 100 children, to allowing me to completely take over office space for sorting (and even helping with the sorting!), this program simply wouldn’t happen without you.

Thank you to Owen Denesuik from DenzyDesigns for helping with the website this year — it was a total game changer and made organizing everything so much smoother.

Thank you to The Rocking Horse Toys for helping put together gifts for over 100 children — such a massive help this year.

Thank you as well to Midas of Napanee, Midas of Kingston, Otter Creek Kitchen & Food Truck, Little Caesars (Princess St), and Transport Training Centre for your support as drop-off locations.

We had an amazing turnout for our first-ever fundraiser, and I can’t thank Nicki Morey-Gilfillen enough for helping the night run so smoothly. Thank you to Craig Impola (Trimline), Midas, Jack Astor’s, and Brett Emmons for their generous fundraiser donations, and to Three’s Company for putting on an incredible show.

A big thank you to Eddy & The Dirty Boys for hosting a 50/50 draw at their Christmas show, and another huge shout-out to Red House West for topping up the final total.

Thank you so much to Cejay Gilfillen-weaver and Mandi Serson for helping with sorting and gift pickups throughout the month.

An extra special thank you to Stacey Waldram for sorting countless gifts, picking up gifts throughout the month, traveling through multiple snowstorms to help and keep me company (including trips as far as Ajax), staying late sorting past midnight, and helping with the fundraiser. I truly could not have done this without you.

Thank you to the many local community members and businesses who donated monetarily, and to everyone who picked a child and purchased gifts — your generosity is what makes this program possible.

Another big shout-out to Rachel Barrette at K & R Sports Bar for being a drop-off location, hosting our first fundraiser, and serving as the pick-up location this year.

Thank you to my Dad for helping load and unload multiple trailer loads of gifts between sorting location, delivery location, and pick-up locations.

Thank you to Jessica Hellard Real Estate Group – RE/MAX Finest Realty Team for fundraiser donations and for handling hundreds of deliveries year after year.

And the biggest shout-out of all goes to my husband and two tiny humans for holding down the fort at home, constantly checking in on me, and making sure I was okay. I had very little time with my family during those hectic weeks in December, and I am forever grateful for their love and support.

If I have missed anyone in this post, please know it was not intentional — I am so grateful to every single person who helped in any way this year.

I am honestly overwhelmed by the support from this community and can’t thank you all enough. We did it. I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and has a happy, healthy, and wonderful New Year.