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
Welcome, Wes Couture-Burke
We’re thrilled to welcome Wes Couture-Burke to MCC Thrift St. Catharines! Wes joins our team as the new Processing Team Member (Hard Goods Focus), bringing a wealth of experience from his time working at Goodwill. His expertise and dedication are a fantastic addition to our store. Welcome to the team, Wes!
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
Helen Klassen
Christine Fransen
Connie Castro
Michael Lacasse
Elenore Wormald
Paula Braun
Margaret McBride
Marilyn Hartwell
Paul Kotyk
Jackie MacGregor
Lorna Rogalski
Althea
(Processing)
Lynda Peschell (Retail) (Receiving) (Retail)
Gumana Mohamed (Processing)
Joshua Amofa (Receiving) (Retail)
Echo Zhang (Processing) (Processing) (Retail )
Around the Shop Photos
BEEkeepers, Lynda and Sheila, BEEgan our Christmas Giving Campaign with a BUZZ … a total of 16 donors contributed to this campaign on the first day. MCC Photo/Yamilet Corea
John and Chris—go together like cookies and milk! What a pair! MCC Photo/Ana Galindo
Marilyn and Erika are making footwear look brand new and ready for resale. MCC
Photo/Ana Galindo
Annual MCC Ontario Volunteer Survey
Look at that hair! Did Ana find her doppelganger (look-alike)? MCC Photo/
superpower is chatting it up with customers, but she’s always ready for any task. MCC Photo/Tim
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
Luisa is always keen to join Ana’s antics in the backroom … this time, pretending to be Emily in Paris. MCC Photo/Ana Galindo
Ana Galindo
Linda’s
Albrecht
Santa stopped in a little early at MCC Thrift to check out what was happening in our backroom! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, from the Staff Team at MCC Thrift, St. Catharines!
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.
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.
Beekeeper Robert Loketo talks about the DADO apiary project in Kachapangole, Uganda. A beehive is in the
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.”
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.”
