Christmas came early to Christian Island

Christmas came early to Christian Island

By Sharon Weatherall

Chief Roland Monague shared a story of goodwill which has positively impacted the people of Christian Island this holiday season.

On Thursday December 18^th Beausoleil First Nation people were graciously gifted with a large donation of clothes from a neighbouring community. All clothes were brand new and brand name in boxes.

“We are presently conducting a mass distribution today at the community Rec Centre. Members were lined up at the door at 8:30 a.m. this morning and the crowds have been on going all day to partake in receiving this kind gesture of clothing,” said Chief Monague.  

“I was approached by a fellow from Collingwood whom wished to remain anonymous on donating these to our members who could certainly use these clothes as a form of Christmas offering. We received a cube van full of clothes that represents many children’s clothing, clothing for youth and some adult clothing as well. All indication is this has been well received by our members.”

Monague said the distribution of the clothing was handled by Family Services on the Island and the Chief and Council paid to rent a cube van for the cause.

Hank Monague - family support worker with Family Services confirmed there was a good response from the community to the quality name brand items mainly for children under one year of age - including sleepers etc. and for children10 and under including fleece jackets and pants. For adults there were women’s skirts and sweater jackets with name brands such as Columbia and Roots. There were over 60 boxes of clothing in total.

The band was notified of the donation last Sunday and transportation and pick-up were arranged for Wednesday. Notification was sent out to members on Monday through email and word of mouth inviting them to come over to the Recreation Center on Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.  

“Four people went to make the pick-up in Collingwood  and bring it back to the island. When the cube truck arrived there were eight of us from Family Services here on Wednesday unpacking the clothing and setting it out on tables for members to come in and go through,” said Monague.

“It was a very generous donation - one of the biggest ones we have had and much appreciated. We have had donations in the past through churches and charities but nothing on this scale. The donor wishes to remain anonymous but just wanted the community to have a good Christmas.”

A portion of the gift will be paid forward. Monague says after BFN community members were done going through the donation at the end of the day the remaining clothes items were packed back up to be re-donated to other communities including Midland and Penetanguishene through the Salvation Army, Friendship Center and Value Village etc.

“Once the clothing has been repacked we hope to redistribute it to other areas before Christmas or within the New Year,” said Monague.

It was a wonderful gesture for the BFN community at Christmas time and no doubt helped a lot of people during one of the most financially trying times of the year.

We are the Villagers on top of Truffle Mountain

By Sharon Weatherall 

From January to October ‘We are the Villagers’ (WATV) will receive support through the sales of truffles made by ‘The Elegant Gourmet’ on King Street in Midland.  

Mountain Truffles have been a big hit at the store since they were created nearly a decade ago by Susan and Glen Canning’s four year old son.  Now 12, Matthew Canning has been making mountain truffles for eight years and raising money for the Midland Toy Drive at Christmas time. The proceeds go towards buying toys which stay in Midland and are distributed by the Children’s Aid Society.

This Christmas Matthew decided to share the wealth with registered children’s charity WATV. Starting January 1^st he will make mountain truffles in January to the end of October each year and proceeds will be donated to the children of the village.

“They seem like good people – I personally like what they do so we decided to support them,” said Matthew.

“They help kids that don’t have enough money to do extra-curricular activities. I think I know what it feels like to feel bored and not belong to some activities and I know how happy you can be when someone is trying to help you enjoy your childhood.”

When he was just four years old Matthew made his first truffle for a little friend, followed by a whole tray full to sell. When someone said ‘hey you should make those and sell them all the time’ the charity idea blossomed. At the time Susan Canning talked to her son and they came up with an incentive and formula to split the proceeds in half.

“The first lady that bought a truffle off that tray Matthew gave a hug to. He was so happy to see them selling. I talked to him about donating half the money to the toy drive and he asked me if he could think about it. Then he came back and said ‘I would love to do that’ so that’s how it all started,” said Canning.

When he was just six years old young Matthew Canning was a guest on Breakfast Television making his truffles and sharing his story. Three years ago when they had their moist generous year yet the donation box was stolen and the community rallied to raise the money back and then some. Susan Canning notified the media about what had happened and thanks to public support four extra carloads of toys were purchased that year for Midland children.  

Due to the rising cost of chocolate over the past two years the price of the truffles has gone up for the first time in ten years. The delicious treats will now sell for $2.50 each with one dollar of the proceeds going towards Matthew and the other dollar and half going towards charity. Glen Canning - Matthew’s dad actually makes the truffles, while Matthew decorates them. He’s a pro at dressing up the tasty chocolate mounds by using seasonal themes throughout the year.

At Christmas as many as 25 – 30 truffles weekly are covered with coloured sprinkles and go out the door with proceeds going to the toy drive. So far it’s the busiest time of the year for truffles but the Canning’s are hoping that will change. Once the word gets out that they are being sold for charity on a year round basis they will hope truffle sales will become more popular.

“Matthew decorates them for the different seasons with little hearts at Valentines and flowers in the springtime. We are hoping with the proper publicity people will come to know they are being sold for charity, and we will get more sales on a regular basis,” said Canning who greatly appreciates the work of WATV cofounders Julianna Matyas and Geoff Crompton.

“I have known Julianna for years and think the work she is doing is wonderful…I love what she does. I spoke to her about this charity when they first got it started and it is amazing to watch how it has grown. Initially she asked me to become involved but with our business I was just too busy so the truffle sales are a way that we can help support the Villagers. Matthew loved the idea.”

Canning says through WATV they can help kids every day of the year with all proceeds from January through October going directly towards the cause.

“The toy drive is a wonderful cause but it’s only for one day where the Villagers help kids every day. This way we can support both charities raising money for the toy drive during November and December and for the Villagers the rest of the year,” said Canning.

“This year we were raffling a huge teddy bear to help raise money for the toy drive and the when it came time for the draw Julianna Matyas won it. She says the teddy is going to be a mascot for the Villagers. Matthew thought that was wonderful.”

WATV is a registered charity which supports over 350 kids in recreational programs throughout the area and farther. WATV has a mission to help families and their children participate in extra-curricular activities of interest to them. Whether sports, music, art or other interests, WATV sponsor children in need so that they may take part in these activities without being restricted by registration fees and equipment costs. WATV hosts community supported fundraising events on a year round basis to raise the money and cover the costs to help reach goals. Now the sale of chocolate truffles will assist.

“I thought this was an amazing Christmas story and just an amazing all-around story of giving and caring and sharing” said Matyas.