Hope Shelter and Wellness Foundation
Charitable Registration Number 82031 1652 RR0001
Daphne Williamson, B.A., LL.B., Chair and CEO

Keep Minna at home

Although I was originally to appear on Local Notes today to talk about the golf tournament, I have chosen to use the spot to make a public appeal to help a terminally ill woman stay housed. I have also arranged for the Georgina Advocate to run the story to help gain support for her.

Minna Mettinen Kekalainen has advanced ALS and an autism spectrum disorder which makes her intolerant of noise and crowds. She has lost her mobility, ability to speak and to consume solid food. Her only remaining passion in life is skydiving, which she does for free courtesy of the Toronto Parachute School in Baldwin, outside Georgina.

Because she prefers to live in isolation and close to the jump zone so that she can easily transport herself in her wheelchair, she rents a house on the airfield where the school is located. However, her housemate died tragically last year, leaving $3500 in arrears that she is now responsible for as the surviving tenant, and has no ability to pay. The ALS Society and ODSP will not pay for the arrears and the repairs to her wheelchair and any money she receives directly from friends will be taken off her income in future months, so she cannot receive donations directly. And she is about to be evicted.

Having no family or other place to go, her only option is care facility, which her doctors and friends feel would take away her will to live. And wait lists are long so she will most certainly be homeless and possibly succumb to her illness before a space became available for her.

Friends have taken turns caring for her and have coordinated volunteers to help, but the arrears need to be paid as soon as possible to prevent her from being homeless.

I have arranged for BMO to open an account for her, in trust, under the Foundation to take donations to pay off her arrears and fix her wheelchair. Your support would be appreciated.

Daphne Williamson, B.A., LL.B., Chair and CEO

Hope Shelter and Wellness Foundation
Charitable Registration Number 82031 1652 RR0001
Daphne Williamson, B.A., LL.B., Chair and CEO

Updates – April 2011

Hi Folks,

I wanted to thank you all for the support that you have shown for the Foundation so far and bring you up to date on some recent developments.

2011 Charitable Golf Tournament

Due to the date being so close the Chamber’s and Mayor’s tournaments, the golf tournament originally planned for May 26, 2011 has been postponed to September 11, 2011 and a new level of hole sponsorship has been added ($250). A $250 sponsorship will get your company’s name and logo on one sign and a $500 sponsorship will get your company’s name and logo on all signs. The early registration deadline for golfers has also been moved to June 31. Please see me for further details.

Pepsi Refresh Foundation

HSWF has registered for a $100,000 grant under the Pepsi Refresh Foundation (Category: Food and Shelter) to address issues of homelessness in York Region. Please click away to support our application and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Daphne Williamson, B.A., LL.B., Chair and CEO

Let’s Honour All Women

On Saturday, April 9th from 10am – 12pm

The generosity of countless Canadians across the nation have helped prolong the lives of millions. Patients are able to share precious moments with her loved ones because everyday people give up one hour of their time to donate blood.

We depend on you to make a difference in someone’s life!

Your one donation will save up to three lives.

For more information on eligibility and to book an appointment, please call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit www.blood.ca

The In Honour Clinic will be held at
Canadian Blood Services at Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill starting at 10am – 12pm.

Located at 9350 Yonge Street, Entrance #3.
Clinic Hours on Saturday: 9:00am – 2:30pm

You can find more information at

http://www.wix.com/inhonour/ofallwomen

RHWNA hosted a children’s Valentine’s Day party on Saturday February 12 from 1:15 – 3:30 pm at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.
It was a called the “Share the Love” event and it was a HUGE success. The attending families had a fabulous time and enjoyed the crafts, balloons, face painting and the amazing magic of Robert Presswood, an acclaimed children’s magician who performed in front of a packed main theatre!

We achieved our goal of supporting the community and children from the following local charities enjoyed our Valentine’s Day celebration.

- BIG Brothers & BIG Sisters
- Sandgate Women’s Shelter
- Women’s Centre of York Region
- Catholic Community Services
- York Centre for Mental Health
- The Richmond Hill Welcome Centre
- The Salvation Army
- Family Service of York Region
- Life with a Baby

The Richmond Hill Women’s Networking Association would like to thank our sponsors, volunteers and everyone who attended the event.
A special thank you is extended to the staff at The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

Early Bird Ticket Price Special–In Jan. 2011 only $12.00 if purchased through a RHWNA member.
For tickets contact any of our members or Josephine at 905-787-9656.
In Feb. tickets will only be available through the Theatre Box Office at a cost of: $15.00 + HST + Service Charge.