It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Amelia Huffman with the Alzheimer Society of Hastings Prince Edward.

Our local alzheimer society continues to connect with its clients/caregivers virtually, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charitable organization – which provides services in Brighton as well as Hastings and Prince Edward Counties – offers free virtual education sessions, online/phone social opportunities and more, helping to connect with seniors in our community.

Through contactless home drop-offs, the Sending Our Love campaign provided activity packages were delivered to clients – the activity kits included a variety of activity items, donated by community partners.

The 2020 (virtual) Shaken Not Stirred Ladies Night Out fundraiser in November, also helped to raise awareness. (The new, online Facebook auction raised more than $1,500 for local programs/services in the Quinte region.)

The Alzheimer Society of Hastings Prince Edward continues to provide helpful information for clients and their families about the signs/symptoms of alzheimer’s and memory loss, when spending more time at home.

Fundraising walks are happening virtually in four local communities this month, (Brighton, Quinte West, Belleville and Prince Edward County) on May 30. Participants and local businesses are encouraged to register online and participate on May 30, to help fundraise and raise awareness about the local programs/services available.

To hear the full interview, click here:

]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-heroes-melissa-jeremy-dean-just-like-grannys-bakery-in-brighton/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-kelleen-hilwerda-brighton-legion-angel-tree/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-kelleen-hilwerda-brighton-legion-angel-tree/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:55 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T12:20:31+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537788

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Kelleen Hilwerda, organizer of the B&H Carpet Christmas toy drive for the Brighton Legion Angel Tree.

B&H Carpet in Brighton selects one local charity to support each year for Christmas, collecting donations and helping to raise awareness about the need for additional donations during the holiday season.

In winter 2020, the local business at 45 Elizabeth Street, chose to support the Brighton Legion’s Angel Tree, which provides holiday gifts to Brighton children/youth in-need each Christmas.

Kelleen Hilwerda organized last year’s toy drive at B&H Carpet, several weeks before Christmas 2020. Brighton businesses, volunteers and community members were invited to donate new toys, gift cards, hand-made knitted/crochet items and more in-store, to help support Brighton families during the holidays.

Hilwerda says B&H Carpet appreciated the donations received from the local business community, with more than 35 local businesses donating to the toy drive in-store last winter.

Photos of all of the donations were posted on the store’s social media page, to say ‘thank you’ to each donor for helping to make the holidays special for local children and their families, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All donations were delivered to the Brighton Legion’s Angel Tree before Christmas, to be included in the holiday gifts provided in Brighton last year. Hilwerda says B&H Carpet plans to continue supporting a local charity each holiday season and is looking forward to hosting another fundraiser in winter 2021.

To hear the full interview, click here:

]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-kelleen-hilwerda-brighton-legion-angel-tree/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-amelia-huffman-alzheimer-society-of-hastings-prince-edward/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-amelia-huffman-alzheimer-society-of-hastings-prince-edward/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:40 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T01:38:14+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537794

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Amelia Huffman with the Alzheimer Society of Hastings Prince Edward.

The local alzheimer society continues to connect with its clients/caregivers virtually, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charitable organization – which provides services in Brighton as well as Hastings and Prince Edward Counties – offers free virtual education sessions, online/phone social opportunities and more, helping to connect with seniors in our community.

Through contactless home drop-offs, the Sending Our Love campaign provided activity packages were delivered to clients – the activity kits included a variety of activity items, donated by community partners.

The 2020 (virtual) Shaken Not Stirred Ladies Night Out fundraiser in November, also helped to raise awareness. (The new, online Facebook auction raised more than $1,500 for local programs/services in the Quinte region.)

The Alzheimer Society of Hastings Prince Edward continues to provide helpful information for clients and their families about the signs/symptoms of alzheimer’s and memory loss, when spending more time at home.

Fundraising walks are happening virtually in four local communities this month, (Brighton, Quinte West, Belleville and Prince Edward County) on May 30. Participants and local businesses are encouraged to register online and participate on May 30, to help fundraise and raise awareness about the local programs/services available.

To hear the full interview, click here:

]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-amelia-huffman-alzheimer-society-of-hastings-prince-edward/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-10-year-old-jordyn-jacobs-of-cobourg/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-10-year-old-jordyn-jacobs-of-cobourg/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:39 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T11:21:56+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537752

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including 10-year-old Jordyn Jacobs.

Even before the pandemic, Jordyn had been helping the community in any way she could: from doing the Coldest Night of the Year walk for Greenwood Coalition to raising money through her Zoom baking tutorials for both the Foundation and to buy turkey dinners through Fare Share Food Bank, raising enough dinners for 60 families that otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy Christmas dinner.

Most 10-year-olds aren’t really thinking about giving back – she tells us why she feels it’s important to give back to her community.

And she admits that there is a silver-lining to doing her baking tutorials over Zoom.

She says her family inspires her to keep giving.

Jordyn says one of the biggest challenges the pandemic has presented is how she can’t see her friends.

She ends by telling us why she loves the community she gives back to so much.

To hear the full interview with MBC News Anchor & Reporter, Jenny McCaig, click here:

Pic from NHHF Bake Tutorial:

]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-10-year-old-jordyn-jacobs-of-cobourg/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-cindy-barrett-of-the-cobourg-lions-community-centre/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-cindy-barrett-of-the-cobourg-lions-community-centre/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:36 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T01:43:56+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537737

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Cindy Barrett of the Cobourg Lions Community Centre.

Since 1950, the centre and the Lions Club of Cobourg have contributed to many community projects, including donations to The Northumberland Hills Hospital chemotherapy unit, local Sports associations, bursary and scholarships to area schools, individuals and families in need of assistance, CNIB, Baltimore Arena, Lions Pavilion in Victoria Park, an organizing sponsor of the Cobourg Santa Claus parade and 1 of the organizers of the Waterfront Festival, plus many more projects.

The centre has also been a place many of us have gathered to celebrate someone going through a cancer journey, hosts to dances for many community groups and many have called it their hall for their wedding.

Behind it all is Cindy Barrett. When the community needs help, the centre is there for all of us, but Cindy is the person behind the scenes making that happen – always giving more than taking – that’s what truly makes her an unsung hero.

Cindy says this past year, the Lions Club has pivoted to supply the community with drive-thru take-out dinners, parking lot concert and two live-streamed concerts from inside their venue, where Urban Angel and The Spirits performed.

Over the winter, they have been a daytime warming room for those in need during the pandemic.

To pivot their services once more, Cindy says they started to host weddings – with everything included!

To hear the full interview with MBC News Anchor & Reporter, Jenny McCaig, click here:

]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-cindy-barrett-of-the-cobourg-lions-community-centre/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-jessica-sears-creator-of-blue-mask-initiative-at-nhh/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-jessica-sears-creator-of-blue-mask-initiative-at-nhh/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:36 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-16T09:33:17+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537782

Jessica Sears is the Creator of the ‘blue mask initiative’ at Northumberland Hills Hospital.

A group of more than 50 local crafters created and donated 7,700 new, reusable face masks to Northumberland Hills Hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteer Jessica Sears created the ‘blue mask initiative,’ to help provide facemasks for anyone needed to visit the hospital, during the first months of the pandemic, including: outpatients that were receiving chemotherapy/dialysis, in-patients that were being discharged and essential visitors to NHH.

The idea for the project was the result of a conversation that Jessica’s husband Tom had, with the hospital’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Mukesh Bhargava.

Jessica says the group of volunteers were excited to have a new charitable project to focus on and contribute to, when everyone was being asked to stay home as much as possible.

Northumberland businesses that provided supplies and support, include: Stitch Witch in Cobourg (helping to recruit local crafters to sew masks,) Acme Electric (providing copper wire for the nosepieces,)Vosburgh Home Décor (provided elastics for the facemasks) and local consultant Colin Davis (helped to cut the the fabric and provided materials, during the start of the project.)

Similar projects were also started in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Durham – NHH staff/screeners are now able to provide medical-grade masks for all hospital patients/visitors.

To hear the full interview, click here:

(In pic: Jessica + Lindsay – Blue Mask Last Drop Off ) ]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-jessica-sears-creator-of-blue-mask-initiative-at-nhh/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-heroes-helping-hands-northumberland/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-heroes-helping-hands-northumberland/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:27 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T01:42:54+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537721 15 Oct. 2019

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Helping Hands Northumberland.

As a a volunteer group, they collect and re-purpose useful, donated items and deliver them to local and distant reputable groups and persons.

Lynn Rogalski (Row-gall-ski) says the group has been helping the community in any way they could since they started in 2014 – what started as 3 members has morphed into a large group of volunteers, especially with the onset of the pandemic.

After putting a call out on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/46095330699166) and through their newsletter (see below), they were able to provide for the community in a whole different way – while they saw the needs at the hospital were being filled, they saw needs at nursing homes, apartment buildings, schools and child services, and provided over 8000 items to the community in no time at all!

And even before the pandemic, Helping hands was supplying local families with “Comfort Boxes” – which are made for families that lost their baby either before or just after birth – and these special boxes are made by local volunteer woodworkers with a blanket inside, both made by members of the group.

Lynn ends by saying, “You wouldn’t believe it unless you were living it”, when she referred to how the community of Northumberland and the Helping Hands group continues to give back everyday.

Just a few weeks ago they made another donation to the hospital for the staff – from masks, scrub bags, ear savers and even chocolate! Lynn explains.

To hear the full interview with MBC’s MBC Reporter & Anchor, Jenny McCaig, click here:

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Link to Helping Hands Northumber APRIL 2021 Newsletter: April 2021

Contact Names: Nancy Bailey – 289-252-2020 Lynn Rogalski – 905-372-5857
Ursula Silk – 905-344-0009 Carol Carman – 905-372-8237
Lynda Macpherson – 289-677-0107 Anne Redditt – 905-885-6816 Port Hope Depot
Maura McGeachy – 905-352-3706 (schools)
Check out our Facebook Site – HelpingHands(Cobourg)NorthumberlandCA – www.facebook.com/groups/46095330699166
e-mail address Helpinghandscobourg@gmail.com

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To hear the longer version of the interview with MBC Reporter & Anchor, Jenny McCaig, click here:

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Examples of how Helping Hands gives back (Pic 1: Gift Bags for Hospital; Pic 2: Donations Pre-COVID; Pic 3: Milk Bag Mats; Pic 4: Lynn Rogalski (who spoke in interview) of Helping Hands Northumberland)

Gift Bags for NHH April 2021

June 5, 2018 – first meeting in new location

15 Oct. 2019

Lynn Rogalski (who spoke in interview) of Helping Hands Northumberland ]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-heroes-helping-hands-northumberland/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-jennifer-mathieu-canadian-blood-services-cobourgport-hope/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-jennifer-mathieu-canadian-blood-services-cobourgport-hope/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:09 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T01:40:26+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537762

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Jennifer Mathieu, territory manager with Canadian Blood Services (Cobourg/Port Hope).

The need for blood donation continues in Northumberland County and across Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Local volunteers help to ensure that safety of all blood donor clinics during the pandemic

Upcoming blood donor clinics include: May 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John’s United Church in Campbellford and June 6 at Brighton Fellowship Christian Reformed Church.

Mathieu says Northumberland volunteers/donors continue to show their support for blood donation, with appointments in Cobourg completely booked until June.

Mathieu adds that Northumberland is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers, who deserve recognition for their efforts, during the pandemic, helping to ensure that local donor clinics are as safe as possible for everyone.

Health/safety protocols are in-effect at all blood donor clinics, including wearing a facemasks and answering COVID-19 screening questions, before making a donation.

To hear the full interview, click here:

]]> https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-hero-jennifer-mathieu-canadian-blood-services-cobourgport-hope/feed/ 0 https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-heroes-tony-chrystalla-manna-of-jjs-steak-burger-in-cobourg/ https://northumberlanddaily.ca/2021/05/06/unsung-heroes-tony-chrystalla-manna-of-jjs-steak-burger-in-cobourg/#respond Thu, 06 May 2021 10:00:05 +0000 93.3 myFM News/Classic Rock staff 2021-05-06T01:43:28+00:00 https://d382.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=537745

It’s an exclusive look into the lives of some of Northumberland’s outstanding leaders in the community who have stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Tony and Chrystalla Manna of JJ’s Steak and Burger in Cobourg.

You may know them for all the help they give to our community: from taking food to the ER staff and nursing home staff since the beginning of the Pandemic, buying meals from the Lion’s club to donate to whoever they felt needed it, groceries for families affected by COVID-19, supporting local community food programs at the warming room at the Lion’s Club and at Cornerstone, Christmas tree raffles for Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), York’s Classic Rock Restock for the food bank, Stuff a cruiser, supplying families affected by tragedy by offering them gift cards, and even purchased 10 toques for (Corbin’s) a hockey team.

Chrystalla tells us more about the Christmas tree raffle for NHH for 2020 – ironically raising $10 short of $2,020.

They say the pandemic has changed how much they can donate as there just isn’t the same cash-flow, even though they say they have amazing, loyal customers.

Tony adds that we’re a community and have to stick together.

They are very humble, saying the little things is what they forget about because they don’t talk or advertise it and that they do it because they want to, proving that they truly are examples of unsung heroes.

To hear the full interview with MBC News Anchor & Reporter, Jenny McCaig, click here:

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