Newsflash October 2020

ON THE MOVE

Green Envy may have moved to 5530 Wyandotte Street East in beautiful Olde Riverside, but the shop will continue to offer Windsor and surrounding areas, eco-friendly products and a great selection of bulk refills. Owner Kristina Patrick-Khan is excited for their returning customers to see their new home (which features higher visibility and foot traffic) and to meet their new neighbours including Riverside Pie Co. and Plant Joy. 

The Town of Kingsville welcomes John Norton as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) as of September 8, 2020. His most recent tenure was at the Township of Georgian Bluffs as its Chief Administrative Officer. Previously, he worked at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent holding a number of positions over the course of nine years. As CAO, Norton is the Town’s senior administrator responsible directly to Town Council for ensuring effective day-to-day management of the municipality, while creating a collaborative team environment by engaging with both staff, Council, residents, and businesses.

THE RUNDOWN

Windsor Life Centre (WLC) presents its 11th annual gala (online this year) on October 16, 2020 when the live stream begins at 7 p.m. until 7:40 p.m. Now you can attend their first ever FREE Virtual Gala from the comfort of your home! The theme is “Celebrating Lives Changed” and 100% of the proceeds raised from the gala benefit their recovery centre and the women receiving treatment. WLC is a local non-profit, residential rehabilitation centre offering six to 12 month programs for women struggling with addictions, and often times, trauma. Among the many features of the virtual gala is a promotional contest sponsored by Suzor Mediation of a 65″ Samsung 4K Smart TV with a BOSE Home Theatre Sound System. There is also a Silent Auction, which opens at 5 p.m. on the gala day. (Be sure to check WLC social media accounts before to see sneak peek pictures of items). Once you have registered for the site, you can easily bid on items using your phone — you’ll even be alerted if someone outbids you! And you can even order dinner from the Ciociaro Club. Get your social circle together for a Gala Watch Party and pre-order your dinners on the website: WindsorLifeCentre.com. The food will be ready for pick up from Ciociaro Club on the evening of the Gala and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to WLC. Register for the gala online.

At the end of August, Julien’s House opened its doors, virtually, to provide services for people in the Windsor Essex region who are experiencing grief due to the death, or anticipated death, of a loved one. Using a companioning approach to bereavement, Julien’s House provides a safe and welcoming virtual environment, where those grieving will meet and share companionship with others who suffered a similar loss — like-minded, like-hearted individuals. Drop-in sessions are available now and restorative programming starts in late October. This includes activities such as: paint nights; Kintsugi (repairing broken pottery through mending); exercise with mediation; walking groups and even breakfast or dinner get-togethers. For more information email: [email protected] or visit online.

Inspiration 100 is an exclusive group of 100 community-minded philanthropic leaders in Windsor and Essex County who are committed to building a unique charitable fund held in perpetuity under the umbrella of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF.ca). And in mid-September eight local charities received a total of $55,000 from the Inspiration 100 association. The list of those receiving grants is as follows: Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation; Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County; W.E. Care for Kids Foundation; Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association; Autism Ontario Windsor-Essex; Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch; Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex and John McGivney Children’s Centre.

Not even a worldwide pandemic can shutter the enthusiasm and determination of the Rotary Club of Windsor St. Clair when it comes to raising funds for their many charities. That is not to say that careful consideration was absent from the decision to proceed with the 34th annual “Rotary TV Auction” on November 27 and 28, according to this year’s Auction Chair Jeremy Renaud. “Since the earliest days of COVID-19, our members and partners, and Your TV, have been putting our collective heads together to discuss the best and safest way forward,” says Renaud. “It was never a question of whether to hold the auction, but how.” With an assurance that all municipal and provincial protocols will be honoured, the iconic local event will proceed, but with a few new modifications to ensure both public safety and the event’s success. Positive changes include a larger role for online access to viewing and bidding and a streamlined and safe process for winning bidders to pay and collect their items. The Rotary Club also announces that a memorial award has been established in the name of Robert Scussolin, General Manager of Programming and Community Events for Your TV, who recently passed away. The “Rotary TV Auction” is the local service club’s largest fundraiser event of their calendar, typically generating more than $60,000. Participants can support this event from the safety and convenience of their own homes and local businesses interested in offering items to be featured and auctioned off during the broadcast on Your TV, are encouraged to contact any member of the club or email: [email protected].

HALL OF FAME

The Erie Shores Health Foundation (194 Talbot Street West, Leamington; ErieShoresHealthcare.ca) in partnership with the Tango Creative Group (WeAreTango.ca), is proud to announce the “Care Happens Here Campaign” has received international recognition as the 2020 Platinum Hermes Creative Award recipient for Public Relations and Community Awareness. The purpose of the “Care Happens Here Campaign” is to build awareness, raise funds and engage the Windsor-Essex community in supporting Erie Shores HealthCare. Christine Colautti, Executive Director, Erie Shores Health Foundation says “What makes this campaign so special is that it represents real people and their stories; our very own hospital staff, donors and community partners were used in all of our campaign material.” The campaign was launched in January with a goal of $15M in support of a new state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imagining Department and Health Information System. Congrats to all involved!