Windsor Life Magazine Special Edition 2020

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To all frontline workers, thank you! Your dedication is appreciated and your well-being is always top of mind for us. Ùá ñêàáîïðÝêà ðäÝð éÝêõ ìáëìèá éÝõ äÝòá íñáïðåëêï Ýêà ßëêßáîêï îáãÝîàåêã ðäáåî ČåêÝêßåÝè âñðñîá As experienced Investment Specialists and Financial Planners, we are ready to provide you with advice whenever and however it‘s convenient for you, whether by email, phone, or a virtual meeting.

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Angie Goulet & Associates would like to thank our Frontline Workers and take this opportunity to send out a special

Thank You

Tabouli by Eddy’s: Eddy has started a campaign to “Adopt an Essential Worker” and through fundraising is making and delivering daily meals to the Essential Workers in our community.

to a few of our HOMETOWN HEROES:

Britni Goulet and Steve Blais: These two REALTORS™ from Angie Goulet & Associates organized a mobile food drive and filled a trailer with non-perishables for the Amherstburg food bank and raised over $1,500.

Charmaine Gillis, Ocean Bottom Soap Company: Charmaine has donated and delivered thousands of her beautifully hand-crafted soap to Essential Workers in our community.

Windsor Essex Seniors Needing Necessities: Mark Jones created this group which focuses on getting deliveries and picking up supplies for our local seniors needing assistance.

Windsor Residence For Young Men: This group has been busy raising money through donors in our community to provide safe shelter to vulnerable homeless youth.

Thank you to the HUNDREDS of other amazing people out there supporting our community!

135 Years of Experience Working For You 5199445955 angiegouletandassociates.com imovewindsor@gmail.com

SPECIAL EDITION 2020 VOLUME 27, ISSUE 4

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Robert E. Robinson

THANK

CONTRIBUTING Karen Paton-Evans WRITERS Michael Seguin CREATIVE DIRECTOR Carol Garant ART DIRECTOR Michael Pietrangelo PRODUCTION George Sharpe PHOTOGRAPHERS Sooters Photography

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C E L E B R AT I N G O U R F R O N T L I N E STA F F ! #STRONGERTOGETHER

I was recently admitted into ESHC and was a patient for 4 days. Every person that I had interaction with was truly amazing. The nurses on the 2nd floor were spectacular. During incredibly trying times, they were all friendly, compassionate and professional. Great job by them and all the staff at ESHC. – Dwayne, Essex My husband had surgery today at ESHC and the staff was WONDERFUL! They were very attentive to all his needs and he is resting comfortably at home. Many thanks to all.

You should be very proud of such a great hospital!

– Deborah, Windsor Very compassionate and professional nurses and doctors. Through my emergency c-section they made me feel extremely at ease in such a scary situation.

I highly recommend the OB and OR team!

– Brittaney, Essex

ESHC saved my life. If not for the quick decision to operate l wouldn’t be here to love my family daily. So yes l trust my life and my family’s life in the hands of ESHC. Thank you.

– Cheryl, Kingsville

The Nurses there are the best. They are very helpful when you need assistance in anything. They take the time to assist in your many needs.

Thank you to all the staff at Erie Shores HeathCare.

– Ida, Leamington

Discover how you can make a difference at:

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Dedicated to the frontline and essential workforce...the true heroes of our community.

DEPARTMENTS

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COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER

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BON APPETIT! CURBSIDE

F E AT U R E S 14

COMING TOGETHER

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A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

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The E-Health at Windsor-Essex Website 22

THE FRONTLINE OF DEFENCE

The Nurses of Windsor and Essex County

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Local Doctor Survives COVID-19

Helping Each Other Hold Onto Hope 20

DR. DEAN FAVOT

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

Creating a Lasting Legacy In Your Community 50

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A TREMENDOUS IMPACT

Windsor Woman Leaves Savings to Charity

THE FUN IN FUNDRAISER

Local Hippie Mom Raises Money for Cancer

Community Rallies Behind Frontline Workers 53

GOOD MAKES GOOD

Local Businesses Step Up

Here’s to the residents of Windsor-Essex. ˠe hospital teams, the grocery store clerks, the long-term care staff, the police oǔˡcers, the firefighters and the paramedics.

Here’s to the children who have learned a new meaning of play. ˠe grandparents who long for their grandchild’s hug. Here’s to our manufacturing businesses who have retooled, repurposed and reindustrialized. To the small businesses who are trying to make ends meet. From curbside pick up to front porch drop off, here’s to every one of you for doing what is needed to ˢatten the curve. ˠank you for the donations, messages, prayers, parades and for staying home.

Here’s to you Windsor-Essex for what you do, but more importantly, who you are.

We have fought this fight –

together

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Publisher’s Note Before I start to tell you about things at Windsor Life Magazine let me first say that I sincerely hope all of you are well and safe.

Friday March 13th was a good day for awhile. Our annual Your Place or Mine? magazine, always our biggest of the year, was printed and ready to be bound together over the weekend. But there was a lingering threat to the world that was becoming bigger every hour. As evening approached it became apparent that things were accelerating even more quickly.

Over the weekend, decisions were being made, first to close all Ontario Casinos and then Monday to close restaurants, gathering places and to start limiting the number of people who could be in contact with one another.

I had been apprehensive about the speed in which the world was changing. As you probably know, we are able to deliver tens of thousands of magazines, free of charge, through only the support of our advertisers. At the rate businesses were being asked to close, many of our advertisers would not be able take advantage of their messages to our readers. I was torn. Many of our advertisers have been with us for years and I couldn’t, under the developing circumstances, distribute the edition knowing that our readers would have no way of using their services. I made the decision to leave SAFETY IN ANONYMITY NATURE’S the 88 page edition on the loading dock and to distribute it after the danger was over.

ARTISTRY Little did I know how long it would be before any sense of normalcy would return.

ALISON SCHUMACHER Now, as I write this, it appears that we will be slowly getting back to some sort of life, BORN TO ENTERTAIN albeit a long way from normal.

While we quarantined, stories of the wonderful jobs essential workers were doing were Your Place coming to us. From health care professionals to grocery store employees, truck drivers, Or Mine? building maintenance people and many others were making it so we could go on living.

Then came the stories of people and companies, both large and small, putting forth This edition will arrive in your extraordinary efforts and acts of kindness to help the frontline workers do their job. mailbox soon.

A very quick decision was made to tell as many of these stories as we could to our readers in our always positive manner. We didn’t anticipate how much support our great advertisers would have for this. I have to thank every one of them for allowing us to bring you this special edition of Windsor Life Magazine.

I have many times said that our community is one that gets behind one another. The stories in this publication are proof of that. I want to thank every one of you.

I also want to thank the best staff a publisher could ask for. Every member came forth with an effort that I can say was great. This entire publication was produced with no face to face contact. From stories to advertising to design and proofing it was done from each member’s home.

As you read this, plans are being made to deliver our postponed issue. Many businesses have been allowed to start up again and you are once again able to use the services they provide.

I hope you enjoy this special edition of Windsor Life Magazine. Our “Your Place or Mine?” edition is only a few weeks away. We hope to be back on our regular schedule soon.

In the meantime, please stay safe.

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Our entire Family Home Improvements team is grateful for the dedicated frontline and essential workers who are taking care of our community.

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We are in this together.

F A M I LY R O O M S • K I T C H E N S • B A R S • B AT H R O O M S • I N T E R I O R R E N O V AT I O N S

Don't Let Fears Drive Your Investments First, the coronavirus rocked the financial markets. Then, oil prices dropped more than 20 percent after a breakdown in OPEC production discussions. Not surprisingly, the markets took another nosedive. Yet, despite these events, this recent market volatility may well be attributed more to fear than the forces that usually drive the markets. Ultimately, in the investment arena, as in all walks of life, facts matter. And right now, if you look beyond the headlines, the facts that matter to investors may be far less gloomy than you might have imagined.

So, here are some things to keep in mind over the next several weeks: This isn’t 2008. If you were an investor in 2008, you well remember the market crash that resulted from the bursting of the housing bubble, which had severe ripple effects throughout the economy. The situation is different now. This is primarily a health crisis, not a loss of confidence in the financial system. While it’s quite likely that the Canadian economy will take a meaningful hit in the short term, the overall economic fundamentals were in solid shape before the coronavirus came along. Specifically, banks were well-capitalized, the labor market conditions were the best in decades, housing activity was improving, and interest rates remained near historic lows.

We’ve been here before. From the time the markets bottomed out in early 2009 until just a few weeks ago, Canadian stock prices climbed about 110 percent. Yet, during that time, we also saw two separate market drops of more than 20% percent, similar to what we’re seeing now. These market corrections always feel unsettling, but it’s important to recognize that they are actually a normal part of the long-term investing process.

So, given these factors, how should you respond to the current situation? Instead of simply selling your stocks in an attempt to cut your losses, review your portfolio to see if it is properly balanced between stocks, bonds and other investments in a way that reflects your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Those investors with properly balanced portfolios are not seeing the same level of decline as those whose holdings are almost entirely in stocks. And while diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can help reduce the impact of volatility.

Here’s another suggestion: Look for good buying opportunities, because they are certainly out there. A well-managed company with a solid business plan that produces quality products and services is going to be that same company after the coronavirus and oil price panics subside – and right now, that company’s stock shares may literally be “on sale.”

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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THE BEST KIND OF POSITIVE Local People Act to Support our Community in Pandemic STORY BY KAREN PATON-EVANS

COVID-19 is certainly turning our world upside down. People with courage and creativity are finding ways to make the best of this unprecedented situation by taking positive actions throughout our community. Here are just a few examples.

KEEPING VULNERABLE PEOPLE NOURISHED: VON And Volunteers Drive The Meals On Wheels Program People with health and mobility issues confining them indoors could give coping tips to residents struggling with staying home during the COVID-19 lockdown.

While reasonably self-sufficient, one thing 140 local shut-ins require is meal delivery. The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Windsor-Essex has adapted its Meals on Wheels program, forgoing its usual daily delivery of hot meals and substituting with a weekly supply of frozen meals. Dishes are prepared in a commercial kitchen by separated chefs.

The food is then organized for safe delivery.

A volunteer places the package at a senior’s door and backs away to a safe distance. When the senior appears, they enjoy a chat and check all is well. These dedicated volunteers ensure 700 meals reach vulnerable residents weekly, helping them to continue living independently in their own homes.

Clockwise from right: Christine Brush, Program Coordinator of Meals on Wheels; Holly Noble, a Transport Truck Driver—one of the many jobs on Windsor-Essex COVID Care Coalition’s essential worker registry; The Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor has created four special Drive Thru Food Hubs; On Saturday, April 25th, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare staff took part in a parade to celebrate their colleagues across the city.

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Food Banks Set Up Drive Thru Food Hubs Understanding that limiting contact with other people is critical in managing the spread of COVID-19, local food banks are finding alternative ways to provide food to fill bellies.

The Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc., the hub for the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association and its 15 member food banks, has created four special Drive Thru Food Hubs.

Eligible residents receive a prepackaged food hamper by driving to a Drive Thru Food Hub, popping their trunk and waiting inside their vehicle while a volunteer loads the hamper.

People without vehicles can keep physical distancing at a walk-up area where their food hamper will roll out on a conveyor.

Windsor’s east end is served by the drive thru at 6955 Cantelon Dr., while west end folks have easier access to the drive thru at St. Michael’s Adult Secondary School at 477 Detroit St. Leamington residents can go to the hub at the Salvation Army at 88 Setterington St. Belle River’s hub is located at 962 Old Tecumseh Rd. Several thousand people have turned to local food banks since COVID-19 lockdown began. Many are first-time users, including former donors.

This page clockwise from above: The Stadler family show their appreciation for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare workers.

Pictured are (l-r) Francine, Evan, Allison and Mike Stadler; Calhen, 7 and Tristan, 3 along with cousins, 20 month old Adeline and 5 year old Maksim (below) make noise on their front porches in support of essential workers everywhere; young Landon Crozier gives thanks to frontline workers during a parade of support.

Medical Gown Fabric Is Produced In Place Of Airbags Already in the business of saving lives as the world’s largest automotive safety supplier, Autoliv in Tilbury has shifted gears from making side-curtain airbags used in vehicles to now manufacturing fabric for medical gowns required by frontline healthcare workers.

Autoliv was scheduled to halt its airbag production on April 9 due to COVID-19 restrictions when the federal and provincial governments appealed to Canadian manufacturers, asking for their help in fabricating huge quantities of essential personal protective equipment in short order.

Approximately one-third of the 220 members employed by the Autoliv plant were put into action to complete the federal government’s requisition for 168,000 square metres of fabric needed for the manufacture of 56,000 level two gowns.

The medical gown’s design is woven directly into the fabric, “which will reduce the need to cut and sew seams. It will then be sent to an apparel manufacture for final touches,” says Bob Ashton, president of Unifor Local 1941. “We are so proud to do our part.”

Ford Helps Essential Workers Face Covid-19 Outputting two to three medical face shields per minute, a small local crew is conscious of the great need for lifesaving PPE. Just 14 employees are on face shield duty in the big Ford Windsor Engine Plant. Working in a secluded area at a safe distance of 10 to 15 feet apart, they assemble Lexan, sponge, elastic bands and face covers to construct the barrier that prevents coronavirus droplets from infecting frontline healthcare and essential workers.

“It’s not much to it, but this thing will save lives and help hundreds of thousands of people,” says Unifor Local 200 president John

D’Agnolo. The team is pleased to be doing their part to “support the workers throughout our community.”

Noting the chronic shortage of PPE locally and worldwide, John observes, “We always talk about the importance of industry being in our communities for financial reasons, but here’s another reason why you need industry in your communities.”

Thousands of the disposable face shields have already been shipped in Canada, including to Windsor Regional Hospital, HôtelDieu Grace Healthcare, Erie Shores HealthCare, the Downtown Mission of Windsor and longterm care homes.

“By repurposing our production facilities in Windsor to meet the urgent demand for face shields, we can help protect the lives of our heroic healthcare professionals and first responders as they continue to treat the most vulnerable among us,” says Dean Stoneley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Co. of Canada.

The company and its employees also made another welcome delivery to hospitals with their donation of 2,900 pairs of nitrile gloves.

KEEPING GENERATIONS INFORMED AND CONNECTED: Big Brothers Big Sisters Overcome Lockdown Challenges Uncertainty and instability are tough for adults to navigate – and are also hard for young people to handle. Offering reassurance, Big Brothers Big Sisters is enabling kids to stay connected to their mentors, even when physical distancing means they can’t be together in the usual ways.

Online visits are providing a safe bridge. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are enjoying quality time with the children and youth they mentor, playing games, reading aloud and learning to do crafts and activities while hanging out in their separate homes.

Letting loose in one another’s company, a welcome sense of

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KEEPING FRONTLINE WORKERS PROTECTED:

S p e c i a l

E d i t i o n

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Below: Cellist Haden McKay, of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Centre top and bottom: Amica staff and residents were treated to a parade of support from family and friends.

Top right (back row l-r): Ashley Seguin, Katrine Prowting, Dante De Benedictis, Rob Cusinato; (front row l-r): Jessica McMahon, Jocelyne Comartin, Elaine Roveroni, LeeAnn Ok.

Uniting Unemployed Workers With Essential Service Jobs While government mandates have shut the doors on numerous types of businesses during lockdown, others are open and wanting to hire.

Unemployed people seeking work need to know who is looking for them.

To assist in the mutual search, the City of Windsor and Workforce WindsorEssex have partnered in establishing an essential-worker registry. The collaboration is borne out of the Windsor-Essex COVID Care Coalition.

Workforce WindsorEssex collects resumes. The City’s employment caseworkers register and contact people to fill essential service positions.

Additional team efforts between the City’s Employment & Training Services and Workforce WindsorEssex is strengthening the existing WEskills Database to assist essential businesses during COVID-19. Job developers consult with employers to determine their current hiring requirements.

“The Essential Worker Registry will make it easier for all area Employment Ontario service providers to fill urgent job vacancies collaboratively through a resume database,” says Workforce WindsorEssex CEO Justin Falconer.

“Anyone able to work in a non-healthcare essential business is encouraged to register locally” at .

Mayor Drew Dilkens remarks, “The City of Windsor is proud to support efforts to link employers and employees in these uncertain times, and to well-position the community to respond to the economic considerations we will face after we get past the worst of the pandemic.”

Windsor Essex Seniors Call Assurance Program Reaches Out To Isolated Residents Assistance is a phone call away for local seniors living in isolation in the midst of the pandemic.

The Windsor-Essex COVID Care Coalition has launched a new initiative in response to the coronavirus lockdown. The Windsor Essex Seniors Call Assurance program offers residents peace of mind with telephone check-ins and referrals to other community supports.

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KEEPING THE COMMUNITY’S MORALE STRONG: Support From The Home Team Tristan, age 3, may not understand what a coronavirus is but he is an expert in making noises loud enough to reach local healthcare and other essential workers. Every night, he and his brother, Calhen, 7, grab their cowbells and join their pot and spoon wielding parents or grandparents – whichever grownups are caring for them that day.

Like clockwork, in another local neighbourhood, the boys’ cousins, Maksim, 5, and Adelina, just 20 months old, are brought out by their parents, Jordan and Amanda.

“At 7:30 pm, our family drops everything and goes out onto our front porches to make noise for all essential workers,” says grandma Mary Godwin.

Her daughter, Meagan, is a registered nurse working at Windsor Regional Hospital. Meagan posts videos of her family’s rousing show of appreciation to her social

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the familiar arises. That may open the door to “having some difficult conversations about our ‘new normal,’” says Rose Culmone, director of programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

She says, “It is with utmost gratitude and appreciation that we acknowledge all of our partners for persevering to make a difference in the lives of the children/youth of Windsor and Essex County during this unprecedented time.”

Seniors age 55 and older can sign up for the program by calling 877-771-2677. They will be referred to an organization in their neighbourhood which will take care of making a security check call. Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County, Amherstburg Community Services, Community Support Centre of Essex County, Life After Fifty, South Essex Community Council, the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County and VON Windsor have teamed together to deliver the Windsor Essex Seniors Call Assurance program.

“As a community, we know that a lack of social connections and social isolation is a great risk factor for older adults,” says Sally Bennett Olczak, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County. “The Alzheimer Society is pleased to act as the central intake agency to provide wrap-around care and support for seniors who call the support line at this critical time.”

United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County has been given $102,499 through the Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors grant program to support local seniors emergency response services till the end of June.

“Seniors in our community are not only at the highest risk of poor health due to the COVID-19 crisis, but they are also much more likely to be negatively affected by increased social isolation measures,” says Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way/Centraide WindsorEssex County. “These funds help us ensure that while vulnerable seniors are isolated, they are also supported.”

Seacliff Manor Retirement Residence, part of Piroli Group Developments, donates $10,000 to Erie Shores Health Foundation to support our front line staff in the fight against Covid-19.

Pictured are Steven Piroli, Assistant General Manager Seacliff Manor and Kari Sleiman, General Manager.

519.326.2624 30 Seacliff Dr East, Leamington, ON

SeacliffManor.ca A heartfelt thank you to Seacliff Manor staff and our local frontline workers for your dedication in keeping our community safe.

Experienced in Financial Planning, Invested in You. People’s natural fight-or-flight response is in overdrive. We chose to do whatever we could to fight this terrible disease. Within 24 hours, generous people donated enough money to purchase 340 face shields, made proudly by local manufacturers, which we safely delivered to Country Village Homes long-term care facility in Woodslee. With funds left over, we treated the staff on all three shifts to a complimentary Sunday lunch. I was also able to secure a large order of face masks – no easy task.

These masks are being distributed to my family, friends and clients who need them.

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Stay safe, everyone!

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Right: Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare President and CEO, Janice Kaffer.

Below: Hospital workers (back row l-r): Dan Ford, Connor Balzer, Cassandra Leblanc, Sonia D’Agostino, Kayla Tagliabracci; (front row l-r): Dejana Trninic, Daniela Buzzeo, Emily Sprague.

Classical Cellist Plays From The Rooftop The alarming number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in Michigan often total two-thirds of Canada’s entire tally. As WindsorEssex nurses cross the border and risk their lives to attend patients in Detroit area hospitals, non-essential workers are following the government’s direction to stay home. Among them are Haden McKay, a cellist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and his wife, Nadine Deleury, retired as principal cellist with the Michigan Opera Theatre.

Haden ventured off his Windsor home’s front porch and carried his cello to the flat rooftop of St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Old Walkerville. A camera airlifted by a drone captured his solo performance of Bach’s Allemande from Suite No. 1 in G major.

“We love making music, but it only really has meaning when we share it with others,” Haden says. “Instead of playing on my porch, I chose a unique spot in Windsor. Near the end of the video we can see Detroit’s beautiful skyline, where our beloved Orchestra Hall is nestled among the tall buildings. We look forward to bringing it back to life!”

Drive By Salutes Handwaving and horn honking have replaced hugs for now, but healthcare workers still feel the love. Parades of Canada Post trucks and classic cars traveled past hospitals to show their gratitude for frontline heroes. Inspired, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare staff drove their vehicles in a long parade in view of the hospital and longterm care homes.

KEEPING SAFE AND WELL:

media, letting her colleagues in the ICU and COVID-19 units know they are thinking of them.

“So many people working in hospitals are dealing with coronavirus patients. They are taking extreme measures to keep everybody safe. Some staff are living in campers in their driveways rather than risk bringing the disease into their homes and infecting their loved ones,” Mary notes. “I worry about my own family as they are closest to my heart. But I am also concerned about every person working in the midst of it all, including the hospital housekeeping staff who are cleaning in the areas where COVID-19 is.”

Like many homes throughout Essex and Kent Counties, in the front window of her daughter’s residence, paper hearts surround homemade signs declaring “Hope” and “Thank you for everything you do.” Healthcare workers are encouraged by these simple and sincere messages of their community’s support and encouragement.

Local Musicians Entertain The Neighbours Playing On The Sunny Side Of The Street and other classic standards on keyboard and trumpet, Dave Willick and his trumpeter friend Kevin Masterson, positioned at a safe distance, perform frequent outdoor concerts, weather depending. Dave’s front porch serves as the stage, within hearing of the applause from his South Windsor neighbours.

“Even if there are only one or two people watching, I love playing for others,” Dave says. “We are probably playing songs people might not recognize, but they are all happy tunes. We are just trying to pick up people’s spirits.”

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Frontline Healthcare Workers Respond To Unknowns Hoping for the best while preparing for the worst, local hospitals continue to coordinate their efforts and advance best practices.

Nurses are doing thousands of swab tests at the COVID-19 Assessment Centres established at the Windsor Regional Hospital Ouellette Campus and Erie Shores HealthCare in Leamington. Mostly concealed by personal protective equipment, their caring expressions are difficult for patients to see.

To support the tireless efforts of staff working in acute care, and to ensure the community is able to access medical services they need, the team at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare sprang into action. Staff put in many hours to add extra patient care beds in a shuttered section, enabling HDGH to receive more non-COVID patients in need of non-acute care. Requiring rehabilitation or waiting for longterm care, these people came to HDGH from acute care hospitals after they no longer needed that degree of care.

Staff ’s efforts are under the leadership of Janice Kaffer, HDGH president and CEO. She gained useful experience as a frontline nurse manager while serving a Peterborough hospital during the SARS outbreak in 2003. Understanding what is at stake, Janice applauds the courage and compassion of her nurses and their concerned families.

“I remember the worry of my own family when I went to work during SARS and so an area of focus for us is to ensure the families of our HDGH staff know we’re doing all we can to keep them safe,” she says.

Across Windsor-Essex County, healthcare workers are wearing T-shirts displaying a heart logo, local hospital colours and the vital message “Together We Stay Strong.”

Janice is pleased by the “remarkable ways that our three organizations work so well” in tandem. She believes local residents are in good hands at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores Healthcare. “Our hospital family has embraced the idea that the care we provide to patients is the kind we would want to receive ourselves. Patients, staff and community – we truly are all in this together.”

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A NEW HORIZON New Website Offers Virtual Care STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS BONDY COVID-19 HAS IMPACTED everyone, everywhere. However, what’s perhaps most distressing about the coronavirus is how the ripple effects can be felt on both sides of the healthcare industry—the patients and the practitioners. The pandemic has forced healthcare professionals to adopt new strategies to best deliver their services.

One of these new strategies is the E-Health at Windsor-Essex website, which Amherstburg Family Health Team and CMHA Health Centre physician and President of the Essex County Medical Society (ECMS) Dr. Jennifer Bondy helped develop.

“COVID-19 is a global pandemic,” Dr. Bondy states. “It’s fair to say that everyone on the planet has been impacted in one way or another. Here in Ontario, we’re very fortunate.

We have a healthcare system in place that, while not perfect, does provide a high level of care to a great number of people. During regular times, when a person gets sick, you can make an appointment at your local clinic or you can call EMS for emergency assistance.

When people require surgery, they have access to some of the best surgical services in the world. These are things we all take as a bit of a given.”

However, this pandemic has caused many of these options to be taken off the table.

“Thanks to COVID, when we have been able to provide these services, they’ve looked quite different,” Dr. Bondy admits. “This is a time of heightened anxiety for many people.

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As providers, we recognize a lot of the fears that our patients are experiencing on a dayto-day basis.”

These changes have also impacted the well-being of the healthcare providers themselves.

“We consider it not only our job, but our duty, to continue to provide the highest level of care as possible to our patients,” Dr. Bondy states. “To be honest, it’s been very challenging to not be able to provide the services that our patients want and need.

On many occasions, I’ve had to tell patients, ‘I can’t do that for you right now.’ It’s very hard to say that to people and not be able to help them. That being said, I do think that we’re rising to the occasion and finding innovative ways to deliver care to both COVID and non-COVID patients.”

Recognizing the need for changing services, Dr. Bondy and many others came together to create the E-Health at WindsorEssex website.

“This website is a one-stop shop for our community members to find the primary care service option that they need during the pandemic,” Dr. Bondy explains. “After recognizing that care has had to change, we started delivering more virtual care.”

A number of different groups came together to develop the website which was spearheaded by the Primary Care Action Table for Non-Hospital Pandemic Planning.

This group is comprised of many area primary care leads, as well as members of the ECMS Executive Committee. Ontario Health West has also provided support.

Importantly, the website is equipped with the COVID Population Health Navigator.

“It’s right in the middle of the website,” Dr. Bondy states. “It was developed by a team in London led by Dr. Dan Pepe, the Project Clinical Lead. It has rolled out to communities across Southwestern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex and LondonMiddlesex and Waterloo-Wellington.”

The COVID Population Health Navigator connects community members who are concerned that they have COVID-19 with primary care providers who are able to give them virtual assessments based on the patient’s unique circumstances.

“The website also tracks patient flow and collects important public health data about trends in real-time,” Dr. Bondy explains.

The community reaction to this virtual service has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Since we’ve launched in Windsor-Essex, we’ve received a lot of positive feedback

from community members,” Dr. Bondy states. “We’re very pleased to be able to offer this service. With the COVID PHN specifically, patients feel more confident knowing that the providers in our area are using the tool. It’s nice to be able to see everything in front of you in one place.”

The website also contains a Services Map, which was originally launched by ECMS. “The map tells you what services are available where, including primary care practices, family doctor and nurse practitioner offices,” Dr. Bondy explains. “It also shows lab clinics, X-Ray and ultrasound places. There’s also a phone number available to those people that can’t access the map online.”

The E-Health at Windsor-Essex website is also equipped with a Virtual Walk-In Clinic.

“Those people who don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner—or who are unable to access them at a specific time can log in to the virtual walk-in portion of the website and have access to a local primary healthcare provider,” Dr. Bondy states.

“Since we’ve started, usership has been increasing slowly but surely. People appreciate having an option that’s an alternative to the emergency department, which may have

well been where they would have ended up if they didn’t have this.”

Many, many heads came together in the creation of this website and its services, including Rita Taillefer (Primary Care Co-Lead); Dr. Tim O’Callahan, Dr. Albert Ng, Andrew Atkins (Virtual Care Co-leads); Dr. Vik Maraj, Dr. Braedon Hendy (Virtual WIC Co-leads) Dr. Jessica Summerfield, Dr. Dan Pepe (COVID PHN Lead); Dr. Wajid Ahmed and the WECHU team; Shelby Colarossi (Communications Lead); Amanda Hoyt (ECMS); Claudia den Boer, the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Regional Lead for the Non-Hospital Pandemic Planning Team and multiple partners at Ontario Health West, including Nicole Robinson, Erin Links and Brittany Watson.

“The work that went on behind the scenes to get this website going has been a massive group effort,” Dr. Bondy states.

“We hope that all our community members will be able to benefit from its use. This is a starting point, and I hope we can continue to build on it.”

While the E-Health at Windsor-Essex website has been immeasurably helpful, Dr. Bondy notes that we are still facing unprecedented times.

“Life in Windsor looks far different today than any of us would have imagined a few months ago,” Dr. Bondy admits. “I think for a lot of people it still seems like a bad dream. Everyone’s been making adjustments to their routines. And the reality of that is that everyone reacts differently to stress and to change. These adjustments have been a much greater challenge for some people than they were for others.”

However, Dr. Bondy notes that the horizon we’re facing is not totally devoid of sunlight.

“Believe it or not, I keep going back to the quote from Mr. Rogers,” Dr. Bondy states. “He said that when he was a boy and he would see scary things in the news, his Mother would say to him: ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people that are helping.’ It’s exactly what I’ve done and it’s brought me a great deal of comfort. I’m so very encouraged by the countless acts of kindness and togetherness that I’ve continued to witness from so many different individuals, from so many different sectors and backgrounds. I think, at the end of the day, our legacy in Windsor-Essex will be one of helpers.”

The E-Health at Windsor-Essex website is accessible at: ehealthwindsoressex.ca. WLM

WE’RE SO GRAT EFUL The world has changed over the last few weeks. What hasn’t changed is how our Amica team members, frontline support workers and local suppliers face each challenge with one priority – to protect the health and safety of our residents. Your unwavering efforts during this pandemic define who you are. And we couldn’t be more grateful.

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unsung heroes The nurses of windsor and essex county story by michael Seguin

Andrea Lazar, a Clinical Practice Manager at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare; James Daabous, Registered Nurse, Intensive Care Windsor Regional Hospital Metropolitan Campus; Melissa Swetech, a Clinical Practice Manager at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare; Denise Deimling is a Registered ICU Nurse at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus.

THIS YEAR, the annual Lois A. Fairley Nurse of the Year Award was a little different. Instead of recognizing a single nurse, the Fairley family decided to honour the efforts of every single nurse in Windsor and Essex County.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to celebrate the hard work, tireless dedication and quiet strength of our community’s unsung heroes.

Andrea Lazar and Melissa Swetech are Clinical Practice Managers at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. As with many nurses, their passion for healing began at an early age.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to be a nurse,” Andrea states.

“I always knew I was going to be a nurse.”

“I actually went into nursing right from high school,” Melissa recalls. “I wanted to help others. So for me, it was natural to get into this profession. It is a privilege to impact the lives of others every day.”

Denise Deimling is a Registered ICU Nurse at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus.

“I spent about 26 years working in the Intensive Care Unit at the Ouellette Campus,” Denise reports. “I had a couple years working in the Cardiac Catherization Lab as well. Then, about two years ago, I moved down to the Endoscopy Unit.”

James Daabous is Registered Nurse at the Intensive Care Unit in Windsor Regional Hospital’s Metropolitan Campus. He also plays a hand in guiding the next generation, teaching Clinical Nursing students at the University of Windsor.

“I have a genuine need to help people,” James explains. “Dealing with medicine has always been a passion of mine.”

When COVID-19 struck our community these nurses, like countless others, found themselves shuffled around—redeployed to a place where their talents could be used to their maximum benefit.

Denise was reassigned back to the ICU, where she had the most experience. After months of assisting with the Electronic Charting System Project, Melissa reassumed a clinical practice role. Meanwhile, Andrea got to work preparing orientation materials for all new and redeployed staff.

“We’ve put over a 100 people through orientation in two months,” Andrea states.

The first couple weeks of the pandemic were anxious ones for these healthcare workers.

“Things were constantly changing,” Melissa explains.

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“Minute-by-minute, we were getting new updates,” Andrea states.

“We were trying to keep everyone up to date, including ourselves. It was very fast-paced. We were learning on our feet. We had to figure out a way to standardize the information.”

Regardless of this baptism by fire, the nurses banded together to confront this external threat head-on.

“Despite having their own families at home to worry about, everyone still showed up to care for others, every single day,” Andrea reports. “That’s just what nurses do. Nurses truly are selfless.”

As well, some nurses, like Denise, were deeply impressed by how quickly the hospital management rose to the occasion during these trying times.

“It was impressive to see how much care they had taken to ensure the safety of the staff and the patients,” Denise states. “They constructed anterooms with filters in the ICU to make as many negative pressure rooms as they could. They have so many excellent protocols and procedures in place to ensure everyone’s safety. I actually felt very safe going back to my old stomping grounds.”

“As a city, we got on top of this virus rather quickly,” James reports.

“We were very proactive.”

“Our staff definitely feels safe and supported,” Andrea explains.

“We implemented proactive measures right from the beginning. We have the proper Personal Protective Equipment.”

However, despite the influx of new recruits, the stockpile of supplies and the well-oiled machinery of hospital infrastructure, our community’s unsung heroes still face significant risk going in to work every day. In addition to longer hours, some nurses have even volunteered their limited time and energy to assist with other initiatives, such as Essex Windsor EMS’s COVID Strike Teams.

“Andrea and I, along with a few other Clinical Practice Managers, voluntarily went into the community along with EMS and other healthcare organizations,” Melissa explains. “We went into long-term care homes and retirement homes and even helped vulnerable populations, like the homeless. Our mission on the Strike Team was to perform blitz surveillance testing for COVID-19. For the places that were already in outbreak, this testing allowed them to better control the situation.”

Andrea and Melissa also found the time to put together a five-hour training program for Community Living Windsor, teaching their workers basic nursing skills.

“We’ve been supporting the community as best we can,” Melissa

states. “And they’ve been supporting us, too.

We’ve had multiple drive-bys where people have shown their support. People have generously and graciously donated so many items to the hospital. Honestly, it’s been unbelievable.”

“You could walk down any street and point out 10 places that have donated something to the hospital,” James explains. “Everyone is doing their part.”

“The community has been so wonderful to us,” Denise states. “And we’re so appreciative of everything they do for us. The food that they send us. The good wishes. It’s been phenomenal, really. And we’re so thankful for it. And there’s lots of people in the community who are really true heroes, like the people working in the grocery stores. Our community has stepped up greatly.”

Fundamentally, Andrea and Melissa credit the strength of their colleagues for helping them weather the storm.

“You have to work together,” Denise states.

“You have to help each other.”

“You don’t abandon your team,” Andrea stresses. “Nurses stick together. At all times.”

“Your colleagues become your second family,” James explains. “We lean on each other for support.”

In addition, May 11th to May 17th was the Canadian Nurses Association’s National Nursing Week—an annual celebration of the nursing profession that coincides with Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

“It’s a little different this year,” Denise states. “This year, it incorporates all the staff that have been working so hard during this pandemic.”

And the accolades did not conclude there.

On May 15th, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare conducted their annual nursing awards ceremony. There, Andrea won the Lori Dupont bursary.

While the pandemic continues to stretch on, and the future remains, as always, uncertain, nurses will continue to be there to combat the crisis.

“I want to thank my fellow nurses,” Melissa states. “Not just for what they’re doing during COVID, but what they do every single day.”

“When my daughter went into nursing, I told her that it’s important to love what you do,” Denise explains. “Everyday. We’ve banded together, as we always do. We’re a special breed, that way. Every department is a little family. And it’s awesome to have two families. You care about each other. You develop a great rapport. You’re there for each other.”

“It doesn’t matter what comes our way,” Melissa reports. “We’re ready. And we’re here to help.”

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A Hero’s Return Local Physician Survives COVID-19 STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN LIVIERO

IN WINDSOR’S MEDICAL community, few are as beloved as Dr. Dean Favot, a 66-year-old retired Emergency Room Physician.

“I worked at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus and Metropolitan Campus for 35 years,” Dr. Favot states. “I retired about a year and a half ago. It seemed like a young person’s game! I thought it was time to let them take the reins.”

Since retiring, Dr. Favot has busied himself working part-time at the Grand Marais Urgent Care Centre.

However, when COVID-19 struck our community, Dr. Favot was in the process of volunteering at Windsor Regional Hospital’s COVID Clinic. And, despite the severity of the pandemic, Dr. Favot retained an optimistic attitude.

“I practiced medicine for over 35 years,” Dr. Favot explains. “I was never sick a day in my life. I never missed a day of work. If I got a cough or a cold, it would last two or three days, and then it would go away. I remember telling my colleague that I must have the best immune system in the world. I said that if I caught COVID, that I couldn’t imagine it being worse than any other cold.”

However, after a few days at the urgent care clinic, Dr. Favot manifested a couple alarming symptoms.

“I lost my taste buds,” Dr. Favot recalls. “I couldn’t smell or taste anything. One day I was eating my peanut butter and jam sandwich and it didn’t taste like anything. After another couple days, my skin became very sensitive.

Toweling off after a shower felt like rubbing myself down with sandpaper. It was extremely painful.”

Although he never developed a fever, Dr. Favot caught the virus’s other telltale symptoms: a cough and shortness of breath. After a week in self-quarantine, his condition continued to deteriorate.

“My wife didn’t like the way I looked,” Dr. Favot states.

“So, she contacted Dr. John Minardi, a close friend and colleague who instructed her to take me to the hospital.

I was still a little stubborn. I told her I was feeling okay. I told her wait a few more hours. But, after half an hour, I decided I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Dr. Favot’s wife, Giuliana, dropped him off at the emergency room. This was not an easy decision for either of them. Thanks to the shutdown, Giuliana was not allowed to enter the hospital. And adding to their distress, she too was suffering from a cough and cold and in the process of self-quarantining.

“I wasn’t sure if I was coming home,” Dr. Favot admits.

“I wasn’t sure if I would ever see her, my kids or family and friends again.”

Dr. Favot was admitted into the COVID room in the emergency room. Once there, he was given laboratory tests, a chest X-ray and intravenous fluids.

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Dr. Dean Favot (centre) surrounded by his family: daughters Alexa (seated) and Erica, wife Giuliana, sons Devon and Daniel.

“After hydration, I was starting to feel better,” Dr. Favot states. “But my blood-oxygen levels were still low.”

During those first three days in the hospital, Dr. Favot’s oxygen levels continued to decline. Before long, Dr. Favot began experiencing confusion and disorientation.

“At one point, I requested to be intubated,” Dr. Favot half-heartedly laughs. “The specialist who was in charge of the ICU, Dr. Eli Malus, explained to my wife that no order to intubate was given. He told her that I was giving orders because I still thought I was running the place. However, after Dr. Malus’s assessment, he moved me to the Intensive Care Ward.”

Different methods of oxygen delivery were attempted, but none were enough to keep the oxygen saturation level in my blood high enough.” With no other options, he was placed on a ventilator.

“I was pretty delirious at that point,” Dr. Favot admits. “I didn’t know what was going on. I actually had it easier than everyone else. I was just lying there for 10 days under heavy sedation. I don’t remember anything about those days.”

During this time, Dr. Favot’s wife was in constant contact with the nursing staff. “My wife was in contact with Dr. Malus and the nursing staff every two hours,” Dr. Favot recalls. “They were phenomenal. They were so comforting to her. She developed a lot of medical knowledge during those three weeks I was in the hospital. She’d write down my oxygen stats and made sure she knew what everything meant.”

For about five to six days, Dr. Favot stabilized. Gradually, his condition began to turn. After 10 days in the ICU, Dr. Malus and the respiratory technicians removed Dr. Favot from the ventilator. However, some lingering delirium remained.

“At one point, I thought I was in an ICU in Rome, Italy,” Dr. Favot laughs.

“I remember thinking, ‘Why do they have pictures of my family on the wall?

What the hell am I doing here, anyway?’ I started getting paranoid. The nurses were giving me shots to keep me from developing blood clots. One day I started arguing with them. I told the nurse, ‘You’re not giving me a

shot.’ They very patiently explained to me what was going on.”

However, Dr. Favot’s time on the ventilator was not without consequence. After being sedated for almost 10 days, Dr. Favot’s muscles began to atrophy.

“I lost about 18 pounds of muscle mass,” Dr. Favot reports. “I couldn’t even lift a glass of water, that’s how weak I was. I had the shakes. I couldn’t even stand beside the bed without assistance.”

After that harrowing ordeal, Dr. Favot was discharged from the hospital.

“Getting discharged from the hospital was the best feeling in the world,” Dr. Favot explains. “They snuck me out the back door, but it was a setup. I was met with an entourage of emergency room staff and ICU staff.”

Dr. Favot returned home to a hero’s welcome. When Dr. Favot and his wife turned onto their street, both sides of the road were packed with family, friends and neighbors.

“It was just unbelievable,” Dr. Favot states. “It was so heartwarming and humbling.”

Dr. Favot is currently back at home, making a recovery.

“Even now, writing is hard,” Dr. Favot states. “Not that I ever had great penmanship to begin with. I still have a bit of a tremor. And I still get short of breath quite easily if I do too much. But, I’m gradually getting my strength back. My wife and I really owe a lot to Dr. Eli Malus, the ICU staff and the emergency room staff. Their compassion and care was second to none.”

Although the world is currently, in Dr. Favot’s own words, “on a reset button,” he warns about the dangers of returning to the way things were too quickly.

“Right now, I’m concerned about a second outbreak,” Dr. Favot states. “And I’m worried about what might happen if the borders open too quickly. Michigan is still a hotspot. I don’t think that things should return to normal until numbers significantly diminish. We need to keep testing people.

I know it’s hard right now. Businesses are suffering. Parents are trying to manage homeschooling while working from home.

We’re all missing family and friends. But, we have to be patient. We can’t neglect personal responsibility.”

However, even after everything he’s endured, Dr. Favot’s characteristic optimism has not wavered.

“Things may never be the same, but soon enough, we’ll all be seeing each other again,” Dr. Favot states.

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Coming To The Table Construction Industry Feeds Healthcare Workers STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMICO WINDSOR’S HEALTHCARE workers are in the line of fire. Thanks to dwindling medical supplies and steadily climbing coronavirus numbers, the future has never been more uncertain. And many of these warriors are braving the storm alone— separated from their friends and family.

Some of these frontline healthcare workers have taken up residence at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Windsor.

When Dave Hunter, the Senior Manager of Business Development and Marketing at Amico, heard about their predicament he decided to intervene.

“I heard that a lot of these doctors and nurses and lab technicians were being put into a downtown hotel,” Dave states. “They did this to protect their kids and spouses from any potential dangers that this virus could have. So I contacted Windsor Regional Hospital, found out where they were staying and how many people were staying there.”

Together, Amico came up with a plan: to provide these unsung heroes with some fresh home-cooked meals from Spago, a local Italian restaurant.

However, things quickly ballooned beyond their initial plan.

“We wanted to bring them fresh home-cooked meals from Spago,” Dave reports. “We originally planned on doing this with a couple of donations from our staff but it just blew up into an initiative across the board for people working in the construction industry, including our competitors. Everyone set aside their differences and came to the table with one focus and one goal: to do the right thing, to help these warriors.”

Top left: Dave Hunter, the Senior Manager of Business Development and Marketing at Amico. Top right: Christine Stockwell, a Windsor Regional Hospital Registered Nurse.

Above: Gary Provenzano, the Executive Chef at Spago.

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Before long, word of their endeavors spread like wildfire throughout the city with numerous other companies signing on to help.

“I had reached out to a few of these companies,” Dave explains.

“And basically, word spread throughout these various organizations including the Windsor Construction Association and the Highway Construction Organization of Windsor. Soon, we were able to secure ongoing funding for our initiative.”

Dave was astonished by the community’s outpouring of generosity.

“It was pretty amazing,” Dave states. “Other companies have become involved such as SBT Construction, A-Linx Building Technologies and The Storage Box, Bin There Dump That—all of whom provided a monetary donation. The Storage Box has even committed to delivering the meals every week with their flatbed trucks!”

With more and more organizations coming onboard to help, these frontline workers have a whole coalition of construction companies rallying around them.

“Riverside Rentals has come on board, as well as the Windsor Wall and Ceiling Contractor’s Association and Facca Incorporated,” Dave explains. “When I reached out to Don Gardonio, the President of Facca, he said, ‘Anything I can do to help.’”

Together, these construction companies have been able to provide the Holiday Inn Express frontline workers with 64 fresh meals a week.

“The big picture is now how this continues to grow,” Dave explains.

“More and more companies are coming onboard. It really is special to see people in our industry coming to the table to help out during these challenging, unforeseen times.”

Dave has also been using Amico’s social media channels to drum up even more community support.

“The original plan that we set forth on our social media wasn’t to get on a soapbox and announce to the world: ‘Look at what we’re doing!’” Dave clarifies. “It was: ‘Can you help? Can you follow our example?’ And it worked! I had Phil from Riverside Rentals call me

last week and say: ‘Come on by and pick up a cheque.’”

Dave, like many in his profession, has been blown away by Windsor’s response to their endeavors.

“The community’s reaction has been unbelievable,” Dave states. “They’ve been responsive. They’ve sent emails and text messages and wrote messages of encouragement. I’ve sent screenshots to the people we’ve showcased, and the response is always: ‘Thank you so much for keeping us safe.’ I send those to the volunteers just to warm their hearts. To let them know that the community is behind them 110%. When I tell people, ‘Hey, 15000 people just saw you delivering a Spago meal.’ It’s reassuring to them because they know that they’re doing the right thing for the right reasons.”

However, even more astonishing is the messages Dave and his colleagues have been receiving from the frontline workers themselves.

“They’re very thankful,” Dave states. “I’ve received tons of emails from them. A lot of Facebook messages. It’s been absolutely amazing, the response. It really is something special to hear. When you get the sincerity of a frontline worker who’s at the receiving end of what we’re doing, it makes it that much more special to continue to do it. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

Dave and the other companies are committed to keeping this meal service going as long as those frontline workers need them.

“We’re in very difficult times,” Dave explains. “A lot of people joke and say that this has been the Year of Hell and they’re not wrong. Our goal has been to shed some positive light on our circumstances. And so far, it’s been working.”

However, Dave continues to express empathy for these frontline workers.

“I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be away from my family,” Dave states. “I have three kids. Previously, I was able to spend three to four hours a day with my kids. They go to daycare, they go to school.

They eat dinner, they go to bed. Having this time at home has really opened my eyes to what’s important. But these frontline workers are away from their families. It has to be a very difficult, very emotional time.”

To ease their burden, this coalition of generous construction companies remains dedicated to serving Windsor’s bravest warriors for as long as necessary.

“We’re not doing it for the recognition,” Dave explains. “We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do.”

WLM

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THE GENEROSITY OF BETTY NIXON Windsor Woman Leaves Savings to Charity

STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY IPC CANADA PHOTO SERVICES INC. SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS once wrote that, “Charity brings life again to those who are spiritually dead.”

If that is the case, then Windsor’s Betty Nixon has been spreading the gift of life across the entire country.

Betty Nixon was born on October 19th, 1929. Born in London, Ontario, Betty was raised as an only child by her parents, Charles and Dorothy Nixon. After many years in Thunder Bay, Betty moved to Windsor with her parents where she worked as a Mortgage Specialist for Scotiabank.

Ross Mitton, the Branch Manager and Senior Financial Advisor of Assante Wealth Management, first became acquainted with Betty Nixon at the Lincoln Road United Church.

“Betty was like your favourite aunt,” Ross explains. “The one you could always turn to whenever you had a problem or were anxious about something. She always gave very good advice. And when it came to giving back, her generosity knew no bounds.”

For as long as Ross knew her, Betty remained dedicated to her parish.

“Betty was very active in the church,” Ross states. “She sang in the choir. She filled in for the organist. Whenever we had children’s ceremonies or Christmas parties, she was always on the piano, leading the songs. And she was on the Board

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of Directors as well. She was in The Happy Gang— a group that went to senior’s residents and sang for them. She was also active in the knitting and quilting circles.”

Fortunately for Windsor, Betty was as committed to her community as she was to her church.

“Betty was always concerned about children and those less fortunate than we are,” Ross states.

“Homeless people. Troubled teenagers. She made a contribution to the Windsor Youth Centre to help them get off the ground. And a few years ago, she assisted with Street Help when they were looking to remodel their kitchen.”

And Betty’s generosity extended beyond her own community. For the last few years, the Rotary Club of Essex has undertaken missions to Ghana, an extremely impoverished African country, to build schools, foster economic development, provide medical care and improve water sanitation.

“Dr. Chris Spirou and his wife Kim lead medical missions down there once or twice a year to treat people in villages and the countryside,” Ross explains. “They sometimes have to walk three or four hours just to visit his clinic.”

Ross and his wife, who are patients of Dr. Spirou, mentioned the Ghana project to Betty, who was immediately intrigued. “Four weeks before we left for Ghana, Ross reached out to my husband Chris,” Kim Spirou, the President of the Rotary Club of Essex, reports. “He said that he knew someone that wanted to give a donation.”

To Chris and Kim’s surprise, the next day Ross personally delivered the cheque to their office.

“Ross handed my husband the envelope,” Kim recalls. “Inside was a cheque for $10,000.”

Thanks to Betty’s contribution, the Rotary Club of Essex was able to drill an additional well during their Ghana mission. In total, thanks to the community’s donations, the team was able to provide over nine villages with clean drinking water.

“We erected a sign at the well Betty funded,” Kim explains. “It says, ‘This well was provided through the generosity of Betty Nixon.’”

After returning from their humanitarian efforts overseas, Kim met with Betty for lunch. “She was so sweet and so kind,” Kim states. “She was so excited about our work and what we were doing. I had prepared a scrapbook for her with photos of the villagers turning on her well for the first time. She was thrilled. She loved it. She kept thanking me for giving her the opportunity. I said, ‘No, no! We are so grateful for you, Betty!’ I told her that we would be going back, and that’s how we left it.”

A few months later, on September 9th, 2019, Betty passed away.

However, even though she is no longer with us, Betty continues to spread the gift of life. “Betty thought it advisable to divide her money amongst organizations that can really help,” Ross states. “She did this for a number of them.”

One of the organizations Betty bequeathed her fortune to was the Dollar a Day Foundation, an organization that funds frontline programs that support professionals in diagnosing and treating persons with mental illness and addictions.

“The foundation supports frontline agencies that work directly with vulnerable people,” Ross explains. “People who have mental health issues or substance abuse issues of their own. Their money goes everywhere, from places like Vancouver to Toronto to Halifax to St. John’s. The organization creates a direct impact by getting money directly into the hands of frontline workers.”

The Dollar a Day Foundation was cofounded by musician-actor-producer Alan Doyle, the lead singer for Great Big Sea. As well, Betty left behind another gift for the Rotary Club of Essex.

“I got a call from Ross saying that he had something from Betty,” Kim reports. “I thought, ‘How nice! She’s going to fund another well.’”

To Kim’s astonishment, Betty had added a zero to her previous donation.

“I burst into tears when I opened the envelope,” Kim states. “I was completely overwhelmed.”

The Rotary Club of Essex plans to use Betty’s generous donation of $100,000 to expand their next Ghana mission.

“We’re going to build a medical clinic in her name,” Kim reports. “Most of these villages have nowhere to go when they have a health issue. Most can’t afford to seek treatment in a more secure city. Another clinic will do a lot to help people in these regions.

Additionally, we’re going to drill another water well. And these wells are generational gifts. They benefit countless people. Betty will be providing people with clean water long after we pass from this world.”

In total, Betty left $100,000 each to: the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Save the Children Canada, the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs, The ALS Society of Ontario in Amherstburg, the Salvation Army of Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Although Ross misses his friend of 30 years, he acknowledges that Betty left behind an impact that continues to ripple across the entire world.

“She was a very kind and gentle and caring person,” Ross states. “She wanted to make a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than we are. And she did. And she still is.”

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Volunteer Members of the Windsor-Essex CAGP Chapter

Patricia Valleau

Kim Willis

Martin L. Sobocan

Melissa East Aspila

President Chapter, Principal, Valleau Fundraising Consulting

Director, Communications and Mental Health Promotion

CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., CHS, Financial Advisor, Sobocan Insurance and Financial Services

Major Gifts Officer, University of Windsor

Tim A. Jones

Lisa Kolody

James Krestick

Katie Mazzuca

CHS, EPC, Financial Advisor, Rock Harbour Wealth Management

Executive Director, Windsor-Essex Community Foundation

Gift Planner East Region, Lutheran Foundation Canada

Major Gifts Officer, University of Windsor

ABSENT: David Faerber Gift Planner, formerly Lutheran Foundation

Gisele Seguin Director, Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation

Pat Soulliere

Peggy Winch

Charity Advisor, DMP

Manager of Fund Development and Community Engagement, Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County

W INDSOR-ESSEX C OUNTY C HAPTER

Create a Lasting Legacy in Your Community With over 85,000 non-profits and donations totalling over $15 billion, philanthropy is big business in Canada. According to Imagine Canada, the charitable and non-profit sector represents 8.1% of Canada’s GDP and 10.5% of the labour force.

By an early age, most Canadians have participated in some form of philanthropy. Whether it is a bake sale, car wash or bowl-a-thon, we have a desire to improve the community in which we live. The Canadian tax system is grounded in an unspoken social policy that we all must contribute to society. It is a concept that highly values the social contribution of charities.

While many are familiar with the more traditional forms of

philanthropy, legacy giving often allows donors to realize tax savings and make a gift that will have great impact for an organization.

Legacy giving is something that many people do not consider when creating a will. In fact, a large number of Canadian individuals do not even have a will.

The month of May provides an opportunity to bring awareness about the possibilities of making a legacy gift to charity. LEAVE A LEGACY™ is a national public awareness program that runs throughout May and encourages Canadians from all walks of life to make gifts through a will, life insurance or other gift-planning instruments to the charitable organizations of their choice.

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A program of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP-ACPDP), it is a collaborative effort of donors, charities, not-forprofits, and professional advisors. LEAVE A LEGACY™ has 19 local Canadian programs that operate under the CAGP-ACPDP. “LEAVE A LEGACY™ month provides an opportunity to bring awareness to the importance of making a will. It also allows information to be shared about leaving a gift for charity as part of your estate plans,” says Patricia Valleau, Chair of the Windsor-Essex CAGP Chapter.

Leaving a gift in a Will to charity turns the ordinary Canadian into an extraordinary philanthropist. Yet only 5% of Canadians do this.

In light of the COVID19 pandemic it may seem like an inopportune time to think about legacy giving. In fact, the opposite is true. One outcome of the virus is that an increased number of Canadians have written, or re-written, their wills. LEAVE A LEGACY™ month provides an opportunity to educate individuals and families on how they can make a lasting impact on their communities.

The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) has a strong history of giving.

Many local charities have started their legacy giving programs by establishing endowments at WECF. An endowment fund allows charities to plan for the future by generating interest off of their investments. This can be particularly lucrative during times of uncertainty such as the COVID19 pandemic.

When the pandemic started, a survey conducted by WECF noted that only 18% of charities surveyed remained open, with the other 16% closed and 64 % are working remotely, with limited or remote only access to their clients. In the survey, they also reported that the need for services increased 74%, at a time when the community was struggling across all sectors. Charities have adapted and are continuing to find new and innovative solutions for supporting their vulnerable populations.

The community has responded by donating food, time and money. These donations are essential today as much as ever. As donors look for opportunities to assist, a legacy gift to their favourite charities is another long term opportunity to support the mission of the organizations important to them as they respond, recover and rebuild in these challenging times.

Through the LEAVE A LEGACY™ campaign, the WECF and other organizations in Windsor-Essex are actively involved in planned giving as part of their sustainability strategy.

IN HONOUR OF THE ONES WE LOVE Supporting Patients With Cancer And Other Life Threatening Illnesses!

COMMUNITY BASED. COMMUNITY FOCUSED. COMMUNITY FUNDED. From diagnosis to treatment, our mission is to enhance the lives of those suffering from cancer or other life threatening illnesses and their families and to make life as stress free as possible along their healthcare journey!

For information about volunteering for In Honour of the Ones We Love

Please call 519-972-0083 Anita at 519-791-8633 or email info@inhonour.ca

www.inhonour.ca We provide opportunities for people with disabilities in Windsor and Essex County to receive physical, emotional and cognitive therapy at the farm. We rely on the generosity of our community members and volunteers to build sustainable equine programs for nearly 200 people each week. Participants gain strength, self confidence and renew their optimism for life through the eyes of a horse!

Leaving a Legacy Gift to WETRA can rewrite someone’s story...

3323 North Malden Rd., Essex ON | 519-726-7682 | wetra.ca

PLANNED GIVING BECAUSE THE NEED WILL BE THERE EVEN AFTER WE ARE GONE. The Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation works with our generous donors and the community-at-large to raise funds for Windsor-Essex’s only non-acute care hospital. To learn more about Planned Giving contact the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation.

1453 Prince Rd, Windsor ON | T. 519.257.5234 | HDGH.org/foundation | CLTF.INFO@hdgh.org

Feeding over 200 homeless and hungry each day.

Providing sleeping bags, backpacks, clothing, footwear, hygiene products, showers, laundry service and fellowship.

Support Our Vision 519-977-9200

www.street-help.com 964 Wyandotte Street E., Windsor

ASSUMPTION CHURCH RESTORATION Assumption Church sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy.

The Huron, who were given refuge by the Three Fires Confederacy, shared this land with Assumption Parish in order to establish the first Catholic parish in Canada west of Montreal.

MAKE A DONATION – MAKE A BEQUEST Be Part Of The Legacy 1728: Mission to the Hurons established 1767: Assumption Parish created 1845: Assumption Church built 1867: Confederation of Canada

DONATE at www.assumptionparish.ca For more information: paulmullins@xplornet.com 519-982-3300 Donate shares and receive full tax credit without incurring any capital gains tax. All donations are used exclusively for the restoration/preservation of Assumption Church.

This ad is sponsored by Woodslee Estates Inc.

For more information on legacy giving to the University of Windsor, contact the Campaign Office at XVbeV^\c5jl^cYhdg#XV or 519-253-3000, ext. 3229.

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IN SUMMARY: There are many reasons to consider a legacy gift. It is a great way to ensure your memory lives on. It is also a way of acknowledging an organization that has had an impact on your life or the lives of those important to you while helping the charity to continue their important work. In addition, there are the financial benefits associated with charitable contributions. For some, including a charity in your Will can actually increase the amount of money your spouse or children inherit because it helps offset taxes.

Here are some tips to consider as you plan your legacy: • Talk to your family about your wishes.

End-of-life conversations can be tough but discussing your wishes ahead of

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Show your UWindsor pride by leaving a legacy gift.

There are many reasons to consider a legacy gift. It is a great way to ensure your memory lives on. It is also a way of acknowledging an organization that has had an impact on your life or the lives of those important to you while helping to continue their essential work. In addition, there are financial benefits associated with charitable contributions.

A will is an effective way of gifting assets and transferring wealth to future generations, but a key consideration is how debts, liabilities and taxes will affect the amount that will be left in your legacy to your family and future generations. Liabilities associated with your death, such as taxes are unavoidable but can be mitigated. Working with your professional advisors can help you determine the best methods to give.

A charitable donation tax credit that can be claimed when gifts are made in your will to qualified charities. Importantly, relatively new tax rules implemented provide increased flexibility to executors to apply these credits to income in the year prior to death, the year of your death or future years if your estate meets specific criteria. Although the concept of giving to a charitable organization seems straightforward, issues can arise. These may include: the organization is not recognized as a qualified charitable organization by Canada Revenue Agency; the gift does not satisfy strict requirements to constitute a gift by will. Disputes may arise amongst your family regarding their entitlement to the amount gifted to a charity from your estate. It is important to create an estate plan with your professional advisors that encompasses a method of charitable giving that will ultimately fulfill your wishes and maximize the benefit to both society and your loved ones.

It is always recommended that you speak with a financial advisor to find the best legacy giving option for you and your family.

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time makes decisions much easier for your loved ones after you pass away.

• Get professional advice. A financial advisor can help you explore various legacy options to find the best fit for you and your family. Once you have made your decisions, a lawyer can put together the nuts and bolts of a will.

For more information about LEAVE A LEGACY™ and the Windsor-Essex County Chapter of the Canadian Association of Planned Giving contact Patricia Valleau, Chair at valleauconsulting@gmail.com

“Inspiring philanthropy to benefit our community

today and forever.”

WHY LEAVE A LEGACY? • You have the use of your assets during your lifetime.

• You can ensure that your gift is meaningful to you.

• Your estate will receive a beneficial tax receipt.

• Your gift can provide a meaningful investment to a passion you support.

WINDSOR-ESSEX CAGP MEMBERS Melissa East Aspila: Major Gift Officer University of Windsor David Faerber: Gift Planner Formerly Lutheran Foundation Tim Jones: Financial Advisor Rock Harbour Wealth Management Inc. Lisa Kolody: Executive Director WindsorEssex Community Foundation James Krestick: Gift Planner Canada East Region Lutheran Foundation Canada Katie Mazzuca: Major Gift Officer University of Windsor Gisele Seguin: Director Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation Martin Sobocan: Financial Advisor, CFP, CL Sobocan Insurance and Financial Services Pat Soulliere: Planned Giving Consultant The Donor Motivation Program Patricia Valleau: Principal Valleau Fundraising Consulting Kim Willis: Director, Communications & Mental Health Promotion Canadian Mental Health Association, W.E.C.B. Peggy Winch: Manager of Fund Development & Community Engagement Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County

Let your compassion live on.

You know it feels good to give a helping hand. Imagine just how great you’ll feel when you leave a gift in your will. This act of kindness will inspire your family and touch future generations. The work we do helps keep Windsor and Essex county healthy – our programs foster a sense of community, provide dignity and independence to seniors and those living with chronic diseases, and provide care and compassion for our most vulnerable.

Consider making a lasting gift to VON. By choosing to leave a gift, you’ll support health and wellbeing in Windsor-Essex for years to come. Visit www.vonwindsoressex.ca or call 519-254-4866 to learn more!

TOP 10 THINGS You Can Do Today To LEAVE A LEGACY™

1. Prepare a will 2. Leave a gift 3. Be Specific 4. Consider assets 5. Name an alternate beneficiary 6. Existing life insurance 7. New life insurance 8. Memorial gifts 9. Encourage others 10. Ask your advisor

COMMUNITYCOMINGTOGETHER

THE ROSATI GROUP, MERCATO FRESH AND MR MEATS The Rosati Group has partnered with Mercato Fresh and MR Meats to donate over $30,000 of non-perishable food goods and labour to make pre-made food boxes for families. The food boxes are available through a contactless food bank drive thru at the Windsor Lifeline Outreach. Currently, over 1,000 boxes have been made and are ready to be given to the community. Pictured is Johnny Rosati.

CAROL KERR Carol Kerr, a Sales Representative at RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd., has taken advantage of her time in quarantine to produce reams and reams of masks for family, friends, neighbors and anyone who has reached out to her on social media.

Carol and her daughter, Katie Kerr, have managed to produce 12-16 masks a day. carolkerr.ca.

519-790-9091.

TABOULI BY EDDY’S Restaurant owner Eddy Hammoud has launched a campaign called “Adopt An Essential Worker.” With the help of community donations, Eddy will be feeding over 1000 essential workers ranging from different establishments all around the city for the month of May and June. Eddy has already donated to Sobeys, Met Hospital Pediatrics, the Windsor Fire Department, the LCBO on Manning Road, Schlegel Villages and Shoreview At Riverside. Pictured is Eddy Hammoud and Nadia Mancini. 519-979-9600. eddysrestaurants.ca.

T2B MASK DONATION

WORLDWIDE BUSKER FESTIVAL On April 25th, Busker Jay Henderson (known professionally as Kobbler Jay) and his wife Kae coordinated a worldwide daylong online busker festival. Each busker set up a video device inside their home and gave a 10-minute performance. The website had 30,000 people log in over the course of 24 hours. Busker Jay will be hosting another online festival on May 30th, starting at 8 am. 519-819-8980. worldbuskersunited.com.

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SEMINOLE HOME HARDWARE On April 10th, Dave Aldous, the Owner of Seminole Home Hardware, donated gloves, hand sanitizer and N95 respirator masks to the frontline staff at the Intensive Care Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital’s Ouellette Campus. homehardware.ca/store/15526.

519-948-4193.

Transition to Betterness (T2B) has partnered with Universal Health Products (UHP) and Wintex Safety Equipment to donate 25,000 reusable face masks to Windsor Regional Hospital and HôtelDieu Grace Healthcare. These essential masks are there to support staff and patients so that the vital N95 masks stay available to medical professionals. The 25,000 masks were locally sourced and will be given to staff and patients – they are washable and reusable. Pictured here are Amber Hunter, Linda D’Aloisio, Barb Sebben, Kirk Williams, Dani Probert and Holly Campbell.

T2B.ca

CAESARS WINDSOR Caesars Windsor continues to give back during these challenging times. Caesars has supported the community with snack donations to frontline hospital staff, playing cards for patients, ongoing donations from their kitchen for the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association and lit up their large exterior marquee screen to show our gratitude for all essential workers. Caesars also donated 40 cases of gloves to the City of Windsor for use by paramedics, fire, police and correctional services, as well as hospitals and longterm care homes. In addition, Caesars provided 50’ quad receptacle extensions that allow hospital staff to provide dedicated power to each ICU room to connect computers, I.V. pumps and other medical devices. Pictured is Caesars Windsor Director, Advertising Scott Jenkins (in truck) delivering snacks to the staff at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. caesars.com. 1-800-991-7777.

CLAIRE HANSEN DANCING LESSONS Claire Hansen and her dance partner Richard Tonizzo, the co-owners of Ballroom At Its Best, have begun offering dance lessons online. Additionally, thanks to Facebook Live, the two have also provided their followers with two free lessons from the comfort of their living room. Hansen and Tonizzo are three-time Canadian professional ballroom champions and have been teaching since 2005.

They operate out of the Masonic Temple in Windsor and the Dance Pavilion in Michigan, offering both group classes and private classes to adults and children of all skill levels. ballroomatitsbest.com. 519-991-3000.

THE ROOM AT COULTERS On April 25th, The Room at Coulters joined up with Jill Pizzo from The Hostess With The Mostest to host an Instagram giveaway where one frontline worker would be awarded a charcuterie box and charcuterie board. After over a thousand submissions, the winner was Sarah Beaudoin, a frontline worker at Met Hospital’s Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit.

TOLDO FOUNDATION

Brian’s Custom Sports, a Kingsville-based custom goalie equipment manufacturer, has begun producing personal protective gear out of medical sheets for Windsor-Essex EMS workers. The company’s 14 sewers have enough material to produce 27,000 gowns. goalies-only.com.

OCEAN BOTTOM SOAP Trying to “spread hope everywhere we go”, Charmaine and Mike Gillis from Ocean Bottom Soap Company have donated their hand crafted soaps to retirement homes, the Ontario Provincial Police, hospitals, every single paramedic in Windsor-Essex County and every single frontline employee at the Tecumseh Sobeys. Pictured is Charmaine Gillis. 226-676-0228. oceanbottomsoap.com.

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BRIAN’S CUSTOM SPORTS

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHAWECB) has established a new Pandemic Response Therapist position, who can service the needs of those affected by the current health crisis. The position was made possible thanks to the support of the Toldo Foundation, who provided $70,000 in funding. Pictured is Dana St. Jean, the new Pandemic Response Therapist. windsoressex.cmha.ca. 519-255-7440.

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THE LESTER GROUP The Lester Group, a general contracting company operating out of Windsor and Essex County, has been doing their part to help flatten the curve by partnering with Windsor Regional Hospital to set up barriers and rooms. Pictured are employees Richard Jacques, Rob Schouten, Devon Goodchild, Jerry Arnold and Tim Nantais. lestergroup.ca. 519-977-1160.

ALL DRESSED WINDOWS When the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, Daniell Albano, the Owner of All Dressed Windows, offered to make a free washable facemask for every household in her community, as well as every frontline worker who needed one.

Since then, Daniell has made over one thousand facemasks, and is still sewing. 519-727-4277. alldressedwindows.com.

UNIFOR LOCAL 444 Unifor Local 444 printed off a thousand lawn signs voicing support for frontline workers. Unifor Local 444 then hosted a drive-through, allowing motorists to enter a parking lot where local officers could collect donations. In the course of two drive-throughs, Unifor Local 444 raised over $5,000. The money will be used to provide meals to long-term caregivers. In addition, Unifor Local 444 helped deliver hand sanitizers from Hiram Walker & Sons. Pictured is VP Manny Cardoso. uni444.ca. 519-258-6400.

ST. CLAIR COLLEGE FASHION STUDENTS WINDSOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA On April 24th, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra released their first Read-Aloud videos online. Featuring WSO Music Director Robert Franz reading The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow and The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak, the videos have garnered more than 3,100 views across the country. New videos released every Saturday morning. Visit windsorsymphony.com/wso-at-home.

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NORA HARVEY On Saturday, May 2nd, 2020, local artist Nora Harvey paid tribute to frontline medical workers by painting a mural on the boarded double doors of Walkerville’s Gourmet Emporium. Many Windsorites stopped by to show their support. Nora stresses that everyone could use some colour and positivity right now. noraharveyartist.com.

On April 7th, St. Clair College Fashion Design students dropped off handmade cloth masks at Windsor Regional Hospital.

The masks were donated to assist with the shortage of personal protective equipment.

The students manufactured and donated over 600 masks. Pictured are Elaine Chatwood, Coordinator of the Fashion Design Program and David Lenz, Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs, Communications and Philanthropy at WRH. stclaircollege.ca. echatwood@stclaircollege.ca.

WINDSOR ESSEX SENIORS NEEDING NECESSITIES Mark Jones of New World Park Solutions has started a Facebook page to help connect locals to those in need: “Windsor Essex Seniors needing necessities.” Together with over 140 volunteers, Mark has currently made almost 10,000 deliveries, including supply donations to Extendicare Tecumseh, School House Academy Daycare, the John McGivney Children’s Centre, Remark Fresh Farms and the Canadian Mental Health Association. facebook.com/groups/526434221348338.

MOIR CRANE SERVICE

THE UNEMPLOYED HELP CENTRE On Thursday, April 16th, The Unemployed Help Centre opened their second Drive Thru Food Hub at St. Michael’s Adult Secondary School, located on 477 Detroit Street.

The service will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Tuesday and Thursday. The UHC’s first Drive Thu Food Hub at 6955 Cantelon Drive was opened on March 31, and has seen an increase of 58% in food bank usage, representing 2,584 households served. uhc.ca. 519-944-4900.

Moir Crane Service made an 8x20 banner to thank all frontline and essential workers.

On April 18th, Shannon Moir-Riendeau, her brother Jim Moir, her apprentice Logan McFarlane and her father Randy Moir made their way to three different hospitals and the Windsor Police Headquarters to show their support. moircrane.com.

519-737-6101.

GREEN SHIELD CANADA Green Shield Canada (GSC) has donated $100,000 to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Funds launched by the WindsorEssex Community Foundation and United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County as part of their larger $500,000 commitment across Canada. GSC contact centre agents are also helping to run an emergency food helpline: 888-488-1578. greenshield.ca.

FAMILY TO FAMILY INITIATIVE LOIS A. FAIRLEY AWARD The 13th RNAO Lois A. Fairley Nurse of the Year Award recognizes a Windsor-Essex nurse who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving the community through excellence in delivering patient care. However, despite numerous nominations, this year it was determined that every nurse in the community should be honoured. As such, a community bench was dedicated in Windsor’s Jackson Park and Amherstburg to celebrate: “All Windsor Essex Nurses.”

ALLIE SUNSHINE PROJECT On May 16th, the Allie Sunshine Project celebrated their 6th Annual Planting Wellness Fundraiser. Participants were able to take home one free tray of veggies per person through online submission. The Allie Sunshine Project is a community of explorers, born to ignite learning and wellness. Pictured are founding members Jeremy Hayes and his mother Lynn Hayes. thealliesunshineproject.com 519-999-4297.

The Solcz Family Foundation and the Windsor Spitfires have each provided $100,000 to purchase grocery store gift cards that will be donated to families with children in the Ontario Works (OW) program. The City of Windsor and the WindsorEssex Community Foundation have also supplemented the initiative, bringing the total funding to $355,000.

This allows for every registered family with children on OW to receive a $100 gift card.

For more Community Coming Together visit windsorlife.com

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WORKING TOGETHER WHILE KEEPING

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As Windsor's water and electricity distributor, ENWIN understands what it means to be prepared. The utility’s emergency response plan contains the playbook for ensuring an uninterrupted supply of water and electricity in every scenario, including a pandemic.

So, when COVID-19 hit Windsor, ENWIN jumped into action – to ensure the electricity and water stay on – And most importantly, to keep employees and customers safe.

The first order of business was to test and optimize the electricity supply to hospitals and temporary field hospitals, ensuring ENWIN’s automated and remote-control switching units could reroute power, if necessary, during an outage.

"Our supply of electricity to the hospitals is more critical than ever before," remarked Jim Brown, ENWIN's Vice President of Hydro Operations. "Our staff are working tirelessly to ensure our systems are operating at their peak."

Caring

"We saw a need and knew we had to do something," said Dennis.

Or maybe more than one thing. ENWIN employees also extended a hand to those looking for a better, post-COVID world, when a partnership between the communications department and the customer service department encouraged ENWIN customers to support a $6,570 fundraiser so that Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) can plant trees in the Little River Corridor.

Danielle Stuebing, ERCA's Director of Communications and Outreach Services was grateful.

"A big, big thank you to the ENWIN team and their amazing customers," she remarked "You are making a huge cycle of positive environmental change."

So, is that the end of the story? Not yet.

As the ERCA campaign ended, ENWIN employees grabbed another opportunity to support those affected by COVID-19.

Ready for one emergency in the midst of another.

2QH ÀHHW VXSSRUWLQJ DQRWKHU As if a pandemic response were not enough, ENWIN's emergency water response was also tested when a barge carrying diesel fuel ran aground off the coast of Peche Island in mid-April.

ENWIN quickly enacted safety protocols to safeguard the water supply and maximize availability. Ultimately, the barge was cleared without incident.

But even then, ENWIN didn’t stand back – Employees, still dealing with emergency pandemic protocols, also took up the torch to support community organizations impacted by the virus.

Supporting community when it's needed the most.

ENWIN's Dennis Tomlin saw a tremendous opportunity to help when he dropped off turkeys to a local food bank for Easter. By the next morning, with the help of colleagues and the company, he had raised $2,195 for the United Way's Emergency Action Food Coalition.

RIGHT: ENWIN Water Operators Kyle Emery (left) and Gerard MacDonald (right) repair a neighbourhood water hydrant to ensure firefighting readiness.

TOP: ENWIN Powerline Maintainers Noah Glos (left) and Chris Peacock (right) ensure physical distancing while repairing streetlights in Walkerville.

When ENWIN’s Denzil Samad learned how the VON Meals on Wheels army of volunteers delivers more than 700 meals a week to people unable to cook or shop for themselves, he spearheaded another grassroots fundraiser to support this effort. The ENWIN/VON campaign is well on the way to reaching its $1,000 goal.

"We are honoured to support our employees, as they support community," said ENWIN President & CEO, Helga Reidel.

"These are unprecedented times that require extraordinary measures. I'm proud of our team."

BON APPETIT!

CURBSIDE

dining guide

Antonino’s Original Pizza – A 61-year-old pizzeria. Antonino’s Original Pizza spares no expense in finding the finest and, whenever possible, closest ingredients. Fresh produce purchased daily. Authentic, thin-crust dough.

The best pizza in town or your money back!

4310 Howard Avenue/519-969-1959 (South Windsor). 1695 Manning Road/519-979-9759 (Tecumseh). 6535 Malden Road/519-978-2500 (LaSalle). originalpizza.ca Capri Pizzeria - Check out our take-out menu and be tempted by our famous pizzas, great pastas, fresh salads and much more! Penny more, penny less, Capri Pizza is still the best!

3020 Dougall Ave. 519-969-6851 Carrots N’ Dates – A cozy café specializing in wholesome, gluten-free, 100% plant-based food.

All ingredients are sourced local and GMO-free, when possible. Experience a wide range of ready-cooked meals, delicious salads and raw desserts. 1125 Lesperance Road. 519-735-0447 (Tecumseh). 2090 Wyandotte Street East.

519-962-5115 (Windsor). carrotsndates.com.

Cramdon’s Tap and Eatery - South Windsor’s friendly gathering place. Offering great food at affordable prices. Satellite sports and billiards in a pub-like setting. cramdons.com 2950 Dougall Ave. 519-966-1228 Eddy’s Tabouli – Discover Windsor’s newest source for authentic, homemade Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Fully-stocked wine menu. 1614 Lesperance Road. 519-979-9600. taboulibyeddys.ca.

Thank You to All the Veterinary Hospitals & Their Staff

Frank Brewing Company - FRANK is pure, straight-to-the-point, old-fashioned beer crafted with dedication and pride. Beer-loving folk enjoy FRANK's small-batch brews made with only four natural and simple ingredients: water, hops, grain and yeast; and foodies enjoy the small plates, pizzas and sandwiches for pairing, and all the peanuts you can shell.

12000 Tecumseh Rd. E., Tecumseh, ON 519-956-9822 Fratelli Pasta Grill - Offering flavour drenched “woodfire” grilled steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. A fresh and healthy selection of modern and time tested classics. Located behind McDonald’s on Manning Rd. in Tecumseh. Take-out, catering, private parties. For reservations call 519-735-0355. fratellipastagrill.com

486 Advance Blvd., Unit 110 Lakeshore Oasis Plaza

519-915-9933

519-977-1120

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The Hungry Wolf - The Hungry Wolf serves up Windsor’s best Greek, Canadian, Mexican and Lebanese food. Home of the best gyros in Windsor! 3422 Walker Rd., Windsor

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2451A Dougall Ave., Windsor Dougall Plaza

MOTHER OF INVENTION THEY SAY that necessity is the mother of added security, all credit card information invention. Perhaps no local business em- is entered directly into the processing bodies that spirit more completely than terminal. Nothing is written down.”

Antonino’s Original Pizza.

Customers are very happy about the With many local businesses struggling to new safe curbside pickup, and in fact, as adjust to the “new normal,” Antonino’s has word spreads, Antonino’s has attracted adapted to our changing circumstances many new customers. However, safety with their characteristic excellence and cre- does come at a cost. ativity.

But despite the added expense of “We first implemented our new internal runners, extra credit card processing terprotocols on March 13th,” Joe Ciaravino, minals, and additional credit card processthe President of Antonino’s Original Pizza ing fees, Antoninos remains committed to Inc., states. “We reinforced and increased holding the line on prices for as long as the frequency of disinfection of all contact possible during these challenging times. surfaces. Even our pens are cleaned regu“A lot of people aren’t working. We larly.” don’t want to pass these additional costs Antonino’s Mini Pizza Kits $14.99 (no tax) All Antonino’s locations closed their din- along to our customers,” Joe explains. ing rooms prior to the proIn addition, Antonino’s has introduced a new kidvincial announcement to do friendly item: Pizza Kits! “A lot of kids are home right now “Thank you Joe Ciaravino and Paolo so and switched from takeso parents are looking for activities for them,” Joe states. out to safe curbside pickup.

“It’s been a great success. Families are posting photos and Scalia for your love of community and “In order to better ensure videos of their kids making pizzas. It’s wonderful.” With a extremely kind gesture. Many different the safety of our customers smile, Joe adds, “We might even hire some of these kids members of the healthcare team appreand staff, no one is allowed one day!” ciate your show of support during this in the stores except on-duty And despite current conditions, Antonino’s continues to time of uncertainty.” — Pat S. staff or essential service progive back to the community. viders,” Joe states. “When we On March 31st, Antonino’s supplied the entire staff at couldn’t source masks, my good friend, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare with free pizza.

Sam Abouzeeni, Owner of Master Clean“It was very touching,” Joe states. “The hospital staff really appreciated it. They really ers, had his tailor make some for us at no are the heroes of this pandemic. I consider my staff, as charge.” well as staff at other takeout and delivery establishments, “The places that we ordered All orders are now pre-paid over the grocery store workers and everyone considered an essentake out from were not like phone by secure e-transfer or credit card. tial worker to be heroes as well. But first and foremost Antonino’s pizza. This is the “We hired runners to bring orders out to are the frontline healthcare workers.” only place I felt safe picking up customers and leased 10 more credit card In gratitude, many have taken to social media to exour pizza.” — Dale F. processing terminals for our stores—one press their appreciation for Antonino’s Original Pizza’s for every phone station,” Joe explains. “For dedication to serving their community.

519-250-0811. 25 Amy Croft Dr., Tecumseh 519-735-0072. hungrywolfrestaurant.com.

India 47 – Operating with a passion for great food, drinks and community. Check out a large variety of Indian Cuisine and Hakka dishes, curated with only the highest quality ingredients.

Take part in an unforgettable dining experience.

Visit website to see a full takeout menu. 1640 Lesperance Road. 519-739-1947. india47.ca.

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Joe Schmoe’s Eats N’ Drinks - Family friendly restaurant in LaSalle. Handcrafted burgers, sandwiches and salads. Fresh ingredients and house made sauces. Local wines; 12 Ontario craft and commercial beers on tap. HDTVs. Fast, cheerful service. 5881 Malden Rd. (behind Rexall) 519-250-5522. eatatjoes.ca Johnny Shotz - Tecumseh’s #1 roadhouse and home of the Chicken Deluxe. Serving Halibut every Friday. Breakfast served Sunday. 37 HD TVs, 15 beers on tap. Follow us on facebook.

13037 Tecumseh Rd. E. 519-735-7005 O’Maggio’s Kildare House - British-style pub.

Award-winning halibut fish and chips, housemade burgers, Irish nachos and crispy chicken wings. 21 cold beers on tap. Live music several nights a week. Outdoor patio. Takeout or dine in. 1880 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor.

519-915-1066. kildarehouse.com.

Paramount Fine Foods - Serving flavourful Lebanese dishes like no other! Famous for charcoal BBQ meats, including vegetarian and vegan options. Dine in, take-out and catering. Kids play area available. 3184 Dougall Ave., Windsor 519-915-9020. paramountfinefoods.com.

Rock Bottom Bar & Grill - Providing you with freshly-made cooked-to-order food. No shortcuts taken. Located in historic Olde Sandwich Towne.

Check out our handmade burger patties. Vegan and vegetarian options. Gluten-free bread and buns available for any order. Everything can be modified to suit your particular tastes. 3236 Sandwich St. 519-258-7553. rockbottom.ca.

Spago – A legacy that stretches all the way back to the streets of Casalvieri. Fresh pasta noodles, authentic Italian dishes and traditional homemade desserts—all made daily. Impeccable service. Fresh, genuine ingredients from land to mouth. Enjoy the taste of Italy! 3850 Dougall Avenue. 519-915-6469. spago.ca.

Vito’s Pizzeria - Rustic Italian restaurant serving woodfired pizza, fresh pasta, veal, chicken, grilled steaks and seafood. Wonderful wine selection.

Private party spaces. Food truck and portable pizza oven for offsite catering. 1731 Wyandotte St. E., Windsor. 519-915-6145. catering@vitospizzeria.com.

For more restaurant listings visit windsorlife.com

FISCAL 2018-2019 TO 2019-2020

CASES INVESTIGATED: 97% INCREASE JOINT INVESTIGATIONS: 113% INCREASE

FORGING AHEAD The Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre SINCE OCTOBER 2018, the Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC) has been advocating for our community’s most vulnerable citizens.

WECYAC provides a child-centered, safe location for children/youth to disclose their abuse to a team of professionals. Previously, children subjected to abuse were required to be interviewed by multiple different professionals at various different locations.

“Before the advocacy model was in place, if a child or youth experienced abuse, they would likely tell a trusted adult, like a teacher,” Jodi Ouellette, the Interim Executive Director, explains. “With the previous protocol, the child would tell their story again to the principal. The principal would phone the Children’s Aid Society or a Child Protection Worker. The child would have to tell their story again. Then, the CAS worker would bring them to the hospital, where they would potentially tell their story an additional three times. That child is potentially being retraumatized every time they have to tell that story.”

WECYAC works closely with the Children’s Aid Society, the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, Windsor Regional Hospital, the Windsor Police Service, the LaSalle Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police.

These long-standing partnerships allow WECYAC advocates to navigate through the different systems, maintaining communication and facilitating joint interviews between the child and the different organizations.

“Having the courage to tell someone you’ve been harmed is so important,” Jodi states. “We want our children and youth to know that we’re there to support them.”

WECYAC advocates support the victims and their families all the way through both the legal and emotional rehabilitation process.

Above: The illustration of Ella represents the Child/Youth Advocacy Centre Model.

Prior to the establishment of the centre, the Children’s Aid Society reported over 700 cases of physical and sexual abuse in Windsor and Essex County. Since its inception, WECYAC has worked towards helping as many of those victims as possible.

“It’s important that we see growth in the number of clients we’re serving,” Jodi explains.

“Because we know the numbers are there on a consistent basis, the greater our reach is becoming to provide support for the children/youth in our community.”

From April 1st, 2019 to March 31st, 2020, WECYAC’s number of clients served has increased over 140%. Joint investigations have grown 113%. Cases investigated have jumped 97%.

“We want the community to know that we

CLIENTS SERVED: 140% INCREASE VISIT WWW.WECYAC.CA TO VIEW THE FULL ANNUAL REPORT

value and truly, deeply appreciate their support,” Jodi states. “It means so much to us that our community has stepped forward to support us in the past and will continue in the future. We’re so grateful for all of our partnerships.”

Even with the pandemic that has afflicted Windsor-Essex, WECYAC continues to reach out.

“We have been working hard on outreach and educational initiatives,” Jodi explains.

“We have developed Cultural Competence Training for service providers. In addition to Psycho-Education, we have created a program for children and youth called ‘My Body is My Body.’ We’re really, really trying to raise awareness in our community.”

When asked what propels the board and staff of WECYAC to continue investing time and energy making this organization a success, Jodi shares a powerful message from WECYAC’s President, Lynda Ware.

“Believing that we can make a difference in the lives of children and youth brings us the vision that we want to achieve. The actions that our staff and key partners initiate at WECYAC ensures positive progress forging ahead.”

St. Clair College, 2000 Talbot Rd. W. Centre For Applied Health Sciences, Suite #3304

519-995-3974 • info@wecyac.ca www.wecyac.ca

LAUGHING & BREATHING One Local Woman’s Lighthearted Fundraiser STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN DURING THESE dark times, one Windsorite is determined to provide some sunshine.

Josie LoPorto Freeborn is a 44-year-old Essential Oil Educator, a Holistic Healthcare Lifestyle Promoter and a Certified Reflexology Practitioner. For Josie, health and wellness is more than a calling. It’s a passion that dominates her entire being, radiating outwards.

“My background is in sales,” Josie states. “I was 15 when I started working at the McDonalds in Leamington. I spent most of my working years up until my late twenties working in sales—and I was getting burnt out! Then my sister, who is a Holistic Nutritionist, recommended that I learn about Reflexology, because it’s great for stress management.”

From there, Josie was hooked. Over the last 16 years, she’s obtained countless certifications and learned about multiple different holistic modalities, including Chakra Healing and Energy Work.

“Some people call me the Hippie Mom,” Josie laughs.

However, Josie, like many others, has had to put her consulting and hands-on treatment business on hold thanks to the pandemic.

“Thanks to COVID-19, most of my time is now spent homeschooling my two kids,” Josie states. “And trying maintain an online presence to keep people informed about living a healthy lifestyle.”

This time of quiet and reflection didn’t last long. Earlier this year, Josie was approached by Brooke Meloche from the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation.

“Brooke asked me if I would do a charity event for their May women’s fundraising month,” Josie explains. “I said yes immediately, because that’s a cause that means a lot to me. So many friends and family have been affected by cancer.”

Initially, Josie was planning on hosting a large tea party and spa to collect donations.

However, the current pandemic caused her to reevaluate her plans.

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Clockwise from top left: Josie LoPorto Freeborn and her father, Ralph LoPorto; Josie enjoying family fun time with daughter Fiona, husband Jeff and son Miles; after reaching her $100 milestone, Josie let her children do her hair and makeup before hosting a live meeting on her Facebook group.

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“When the quarantine began, Brooke emailed me and said that she understood if I wasn’t able to do anything for them,” Josie explains. “But, she said if I had any other ideas that I should let her know.”

However, rather than throw in the towel, Josie remembered a previous instance where she’d used a sweeping gesture to raise money for cancer.

“Back in 2007, I shaved my head for charity,” Josie states. “It was for Transition To Betterness. A family friend, Mary, had lost her mother to cancer. Mary is a good friend of my Mom and Dad. She had actually shaved her head to raise money. I was very, very inspired by what she did. I decided I wanted to do something similar to support her.”

In February of 2007, Josie signed up for T2B’s Mane Event, raising over $2,500. “It was a very humbling experience,” Josie recalls. “I was working at Coral Medical Health Spa at the time, and they were very supportive of my decision. Although they did think it was a little strange that one of their employees didn’t have any hair! But it was my first time doing something way beyond me. That was what inspired me to want to learn more about other modalities and other ways to help people.”

Buoyed by her past success, Josie returned to Brooke with her solution.

On May 1st, Josie began collecting donations using a milestone system. For every monetary threshold that is passed, Josie will reward donors by broadcasting a fun event on Facebook.

“At each level of fundraising, I’ll do something crazy or silly,” Josie states. “That way people know me as the Crazy, Silly Hippie Mom, right?”

Josie’s milestones truly unify the spirit of generosity and levity. After reaching her first milestone—$100—Josie let her 6 and 7-year-old children style her hair and do her makeup before hosting a live meeting on her essential oil education Facebook group.

“We did it outside,” Josie laughs. “I let my kids do my hair, do my makeup. And I wore that fun look for the whole day. The kids had a great time doing it. I had a ton of hairspray on my head. I ended up with crunchy Pippi Longstocking hair!”

Josie’s second milestone—$500—involved her taking a dip in a cold kiddie pool while getting a pie thrown in her face.

“The kids were insistent on the pie in the face,” Josie admits. “I didn’t come up with these on my own. I decided that if this

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Limit non-essential trips out of the home.

Avoid social gatherings.

Connect with people outside your home virtually.

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was going to be for the community, then I wanted my friends and family to come up with the milestones. I just choose from the list what I thought was appropriate for each level.”

Josie has currently collected $750 in her online campaign—reaching her third milestone. On May 15th, Josie mowed her lawn while dressed up like a clown and singing “Baby Shark.”

For her next milestone—$1,000—Josie’s husband will color her hair pink and let her children paint her face with glitter glue.

“I have to include the kids or else they get bored,” Josie laughs. “And I don’t know if you’ve ever had glitter on your face, but it does not wash off easily!”

At the top of her list—over $2,500—Josie will shave her head.

So far, the community has embraced Josie’s efforts with open arms.

“We’ve had a great response from the individuals who are supportive of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation,” Josie states.

“My friends and family have been sharing everything on their personal social media channels. My neighbors think it’s hilarious!”

Perhaps what’s most exceptional about Josie’s efforts is how they’re bringing people together during these isolated times.

“Right now, we can’t be socially in-touch with people,” Josie explains. “Normally, I’d invite people to come to different events through personal contact—at my kid’s school or the classes I teach. But because I can’t do that, these social media platforms are a great way to bring the community together during these stressful times. It’s a lighthearted alternative to these constant updates we’re getting.”

More information about Josie’s campaign is available on her Facebook page (facebook.com/Josolopo) and her Instagram (@oilyfreeborn).

Josie, a true wellness expert, encourages everyone to stay positive and breathe through this crisis.

“The first thing that I recommend people do is breathe,” Josie states. “We are such shallow breathers. In our everyday busy life, we forget what a diaphragmic breath really is. Just breathe. Stop. Take a deep breath in.

Feel it through your lungs. Expand your belly. Then, on the exhale, pull your belly inwards, towards your spine. Be mindful, be grateful, and look at how we can get through these times. Shift your perspective.

Ask yourself what you need to do to get through this. Breathe.”

Or, failing that, laugh.

WLM

The Leisure Trailer team: Jim Raymond, JT Raymond, Edward Raymond, Nicole Ellwood, Stephanie Holding and Tom Raymond.

Leisure Trailer Sales Supplies Mobile Isolation Units STORY BY MICHAEL SEGUIN EVERY COMMUNITY CHOOSES a single quality to define themselves. Innovation. Excellence.

Or, in Windsor’s case, generosity.

And despite venturing into these tumultuous, uncharted waters, our community is more united than ever. More and more businesses and individuals are stepping forward each day to help their neighbors weather this storm.

One such business is Leisure Trailer Sales, a family-owned and operated RV dealership based in Lakeshore.

“We’re a full RV service center entering into our 62nd year of business,” co-owner Tom Raymond states. “We’re family-owned and family-driven. We love when our customers send us photos of them camping with their families. That’s what we’re all about.”

When COVID-19 reared its ugly head, Team Leisure brainstormed how they could help keep their community safe.

“When this all started, we gathered as a family and thought about what we could do to help the community,” Tom recalls. “So, we sent an email out to Windsor Regional Hospital. We offered them 10 or 15 units for their workers to rest and recuperate in.”

▼

Uncharted Waters

Windsor Regional Hospital thanked Team Leisure for their generous offer, but declined.

Unsure of what to do next, Tom’s daughters, twins Stephanie Holding and Nicole Ellwood, discovered a Facebook group: RVs for Canada’s Frontline—a volunteer service that connects frontline workers with vehicles that can be used as isolation units.

Inspired, Leisure Trailer Sales began offering their RVs to frontline workers—including nurses, doctors, paramedics, firefighters and police officers.

“They’re for whoever needs them, whoever we can help out,” Tom states. “We’re sending them all over. I wish I had 50 more units that I could put out there. There’s people out there that need them.”

Since first offering this service, Leisure Trailer Sales has become inundated with requests.

“When we get an RV, we put it on Facebook,” Tom explains.

“People who are interested list their name underneath it. Then, the next day, we use a random draw generator. We don’t want to pick and choose who gets it. The stories behind the requests are so emotional.”

The community’s reaction to their generosity has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’ve always been a community-driven company,” Tom explains. “We always like to support kids sports and charities.

Whatever we can do to help other people out. The response has been just fantastic.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Leisure Trailer Sales remains committed to serving their customers.

“Even though we are closed, we are open,” Tom explains. “We’re continuing to sell RVs through our website and Facebook page. We might not be able to let people on the lot, but we have tons of information online. Then, you can touch base with our sales manager, my brother Edward, or our finance manager, my S p e c i a l

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son-in-law Andrew. If we have the parts or accessories you need, we can do curbside pickup or drop off. We’re trying to help out the best we can.”

Tom credits his daughters, Stephanie, the Warranty Manager, and Nicole, the Accounting Manager and his nephew, JT Raymond, the Service Manager, for keeping their clients safe and supplied during these unfortunate times.

“Stephanie and Nicole are supplying the RVs that we have out there,” Tom reports.

“Toilet paper, chemicals. Anything they might need. They’re working hard at it.

They’ve been with us quite a while, and they do exceptional work.”

And fortunately, Leisure Trailer Sales is not alone in their efforts.

“Kenny Suzor, the Operations Manager of Festival Tent and Party Rentals Inc., reached out to Stephanie,” Tom explains.

“Their kids play hockey together. He found out about what we were doing on Facebook.

He told her that they were available to offer pumping services to those frontline workers living in RVs.” “We’re offering services to the frontline workers and first responders living in their campers right now,” Lea-ann Suzor, the President of Festival Tent, explains. “We’re bringing our portable toilet trucks onsite and doing the tank emptying there. It’s a service that we normally wouldn’t provide, but we’re trying to make things as painless as possible.”

“The Raymonds over at Leisure have been around for a long time, and they’ve always been active in the community,” Lea-ann states. “I’m out there working with community events and nonprofits all the time in my profession. I’ve seen the same faces over the decades. But now, everyone else is seeing them. Good makes good. If you’re doing nice things, everyone wants to do nice things. I think when this all settles down, we’ll all be a little more conscious of each other. We have to count on each other.”

Tom echoes Lea-ann’s sentiment. He notes that, despite the uncharted waters, this voyage in which found ourselves does not have to be a lonely one.

“Everyone is stepping up the best they can, offering whatever they can,” Tom states. “I think neighbors have gotten to know each other more in the last six weeks than they have in the last 20 years. When this is all over, I hope everyone stays communicated. They say there’s no I in team, and that’s the perfect expression for right WLM now.”

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