Keeping our valued volunteers informed
A Holiday Message From Our Executive Director
This Christmas season, we are reminded of the love of Christ, born in humble circumstances to bring hope and light to all. Through your efforts—at the receiving door, sorting or processing donations or on the retail floor—you mirror His example of kindness and compassion, sharing His love in practical ways.
May the peace and joy of Christ fill your hearts this Christmas and throughout the coming year. Thank you for volunteering and for making a difference in the lives of so many in need, both locally and around the world.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Michelle Brenneman Executive Director, MCC Ontario MichelleBrenneman@mcco.ca
Christmas Season is Here
On behalf of the staff here at MCC Thrift & Gift, we just wanted to say thank you for all you have done to help ready our shop for the Christmas season. It is not lost on us the sacrifice each of you have made during this busy time to volunteer here with us. While we are only at the beginning of the month as you read this, I just wanted to recognize all of you and again say THANK YOU! We are looking forward to celebrating with you during the week of December 16–21 as we bring some Christmas treats and holiday cheer to you during your break time with us! If you happen to not be scheduled during that week, please make yourself available to come in and celebrate with us.
2023/2024 Annual Impact Report
Our annual impact report has arrived! Check out our digital version online, and don’t forget to take a look at highlights from Ontario.
Getting to Know Betty Marshall
Hi, I am Betty Marshall, team member in retail here at MCC Thrift & Gift. I have worked here for over 23 years. When I started, we were in the former Kingdom Hall at the corner of Snyder and Samuel. I was the only employee, so we were open 9–5 Tuesday to Saturday. A good day was sales of $300. The receiving area was a carport where donors just dropped off their donations 24 hours a day. I remember that every Tuesday morning, I would be greeted by a wall of donations. To get the donations in the store, we had to take them down an outside stair and put them on shelves in our small receiving room. This was about the same size as our public bathroom. The production room was in the basement, which was also a retail area, as the store was two floors. We used the same table as the big sorting table we use for clothing. That table is the oldest fixture we have. When volunteers priced items, the items were sent upstairs using a “dumb waiter.” Many of the floor volunteers and cashiers can remember the sound of the elevator coming up with lots of work to do. I have lots of memories of that time, so feel free to reminisce with me.
After I had been there four years, we moved to the present location. Over 65 volunteers assisted in renovating the store. Thanks to volunteers for making this a wonderful place to shop!
I live on Church St. W., just three blocks away, so you have probably seen me walk to and fro to work at some time. I have a retired husband, Alan, and two grown children, Katie and Dan. Katie is married to Aron and is a university professor at UBC in Vancouver. Dan is married to Farrah and is a software developer engineer in Waterloo. Katie recently has gone on sabbatical from the university, travelling to many locations in Ontario, the East Coast and Japan. I had the opportunity to join her for a week in Antigonish, N.S. and go for many hikes. Dan is a keen gardener and turned his whole back yard into raised garden beds to grow vegetables. My husband, Al, recently bought a motorcycle at the age of 73 which he had not ridden since he was 21. I enjoy puzzles, knitting, baking, gardening, swimming, hiking, biking and playing piano in the band at church. I also join a jam
night where we sing a lot of rock and roll songs.
It has been a pleasure to work at MCC, and the best part is the people I work with and meet every day!
Welcoming the Stranger: A Journey of Hope and New Beginnings
Your work in MCC thrift shops has been a part of “welcoming the stranger” to our communities for years by supporting our migration and resettlement program. For over 40 years, compassionate Canadians have been sponsoring refugees to start new lives in Canada.
When Keli, Anderson and their two sons, David and Samuel, arrived at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada, they carried the weight of years of hardship as Venezuelan refugees. After six years seeking asylum in a neighbouring country, they were uncertain about their future. Keli recalled the fear they felt, saying, “It was hard to imagine a brighter future when we had been met with exclusion and prejudice in the past.” But as they walked into the terminal, they were greeted by a group holding signs that read, “Bienvenidos! Welcome to Canada!” Keli said, “In that moment, it was as if every sorrow from our past was swept away.”
Office Referred (BVOR) program. MCC Ontario
Executive Director Michelle Brenneman explained, “It’s a way for us to live our values—deepening our commitment to supporting people who are vulnerable.” The sponsor group faced challenges, such as securing housing, but with community support, they found a condo for the family in downtown Kitchener.
Joel Font—part of the IT support team at MCCO— knew the experience all too well, having been a refugee from Venezuela himself. “When I arrived in Canada, many people supported me,” he reflected. “Now it’s my chance to give back.” For the first time, Keli and Anderson felt seen and supported. Anderson shared, “Everyone from MCC has approached us with kindness, love and so much support. I can only say that this is God working for us.”
Beekeeper Robert Loketo talks about the DADO apiary project in Kachapangole, Uganda. A beehive is in the tree in the background.
The warm welcome came from staff at MCC Ontario, who decided to take part in a refugee sponsorship initiative through the Blended Visa
Though the journey ahead remains difficult, Keli expressed, “We know we can ask for help. MCC is a big family that protects us.” Anderson agreed and added, “It’s sometimes overwhelming, but we see it as God’s blessing. We are so grateful.”
Lunch & Listen: An MCC Journey Through Uganda
Join us for an inspiring presentation as MCC staff Lynda Lynch and Debbie Siertsema share their experiences from a recent learning tour in Uganda, where they explored MCC’s impactful programs across the region. Join us in person in the Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or watch the livestream on Facebook.
Annual MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey
You may have already received the MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey. MCC Ontario cares about the experience you and the many other volunteers are having while giving of your time and skills to serve alongside us in this work of relief, development and peace. We would love to hear from you to help us see what is going well and what we need to work on. Kindly click this link to share your feedback with us: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024MCCOVOLUNTEER