A Season of Celebration

The end of June is always a time for celebration in schools. And Major B is no exception. There are class parties, school trips and graduation ceremonies. And for the Wish Closet volunteers, there is the appreciation night. Betty provides pizza, certificates, gifts of appreciation and accolades galore. This dedicated group of volunteers work tirelessly through the year, and this is just one way for the Wish Closet creator to give back.
The first round of recognition and thanks were for the staff who work hard to support this the Wish Closet and all that this program has to offer to the community.

Mr McKinnell

Mrs Comeau

The Mayor of Major B

Ms Kirk

And then it was time for the long service volunteeers:

 Audra, our Dungeon Master keeps the myriads of donations flowing from the sorting room to the Wish Closet racks. Her organizational skills keep things moving.

Heather assists with the workload in the Dungeon (our pet name for the sorting room) whenever Audra, her daughter, needs a hand.

And we could never forget the "shift" volunteers: Monday Night Shift, Wednesday Morning Shift, Wednesday Night Shift and Thursday Morning Shift. These are the volunteers who work week after week to fulfill wishes, help people make a fresh start in their lives, prepare for new babies, dress up new grads and help in whatever way they can to keep the Wish Closet clean, organized and running smoothly.

Thank you everyone for another very successful year.  As a team, we have made a difference in the lives of over 2500 people this year. Enjoy your summer and we will see you again in September.

Thank You Wish Assistants

At the Wish Closet, we are so fortunate to receive a LOT of donations from the community. It's how we keep our stock fresh for those in need. But what most people don't know is just how those bags and boxes make their way from the drop off point across from the library down to the "dungeon" or sorting room downstairs. Enter the Wish Assistants. This class spend their year helping Betty. They haul, lug and slug from September to June.

While this chore might seem like some of Betty's punishment for poor attendance, this special group of students rarely complain because they know that Betty and the Wish Closet volunteers are depending on them to get the job done.

And to let them know just how much they are appreciated, a special pizza party is organized near the end of the school year when the donations are done for the season. This year was no exception.

BIG LOTS! CANADA HAS A BIG HEART

On July 18th, 2011, Big Lots! Canada purchased the Liquidation World Stores. Big Lots! Canada believes in supporting their community in a way that makes a difference for others. Corporate Headquarters on Henry Street has been looking for ways to contribute to the Brant community. Lauren Kirby, a former teacher from Princess Elizabeth School was talking to her friend Shelley Leck, an Assistant Buyer, about Light A Smile and the Wish Closet. This led to Executive Assistant Diane Nemes meeting with Betty Finley, the Creator of the Wish Closet, which is housed at Major Ballachey School. Diane came to visit the Wish Closet and felt that this was just the type of partnership that Big Lots! Canada was looking for in the Brant community. As such, the Wish Closet now has a wonderful, supportive new partner in Big Lots! Canada.

On Thursday June 14th, several Wish Closet volunteers arrived at Big Lots! Canada to pick up donations of toys, clothing, linens, household and personal hygiene items. This generous donation allowed the Wish Closet to gather many items for a family who were victims of a very recent and devastating fire. It also helped the Wish Closet to fill the  needs of many others in our community.

Thank you, Big Lots! Canada for your generosity, for your partnership and for your desire to Pay It Forward in our community.

  

Pictured from left to right are Audra Henderson, Wish Closet Volunteer, Kaitlyn Dowden, PJ Co-op student, Aileen Cranford, PJ Co-op Student, Betty Finley, Wish Closet Creator and Diane Nemes, Executive Assistant at Big Lots! Canada