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Monday February 1, 2010. Yes, we did have viruses on our web site. Someone, sitting at a computer at 3pm, from parts unknown, sporting their underpants and greasy stomach bulging muscle shirt, sipping a beer,clicking a cheezie stained keyboard with their little hot dog fingers managed to propagate a virus causing us, and thousands of others, to be unable to conduct the honest work of our charity. Meanwhile, I received 14,000 return emails in 25 minutes and I am still getting them. Apparently I am selling viagara and/or I am a Russian and/or a Nigerian trillionaire who will transfer my fortune to you, if you would just please tell me where your bank is, your account number and PIN's. Seems someone hacked our email too. They make their mothers proud eh! Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Tuesday January 26, 2010.
The youngest Philosophaie Doctor of Christmas ever presented in our 500 year history of the University of the Northern Lights-Hamper's Christmas Academy! "Youngster is honoured for his volunteer work at CC55. Sam Kinsella holds his 'Philosophaie Doctor of Christmas' degree. The degree is one of many that recognize the hard work and dedication of those who volunteered their time with Community Centre 55's annual Share-A-Christmas campaign. With Sam are his dad, Warren, and eight-year-old brother, Jacob. Staff photo/BRAD PRITCHARD" Beach Riverdale Mirror. Friday January 22, 2010. $10,000 +. That's right. $10,000+! That is the amount Shorecan Brokers Limited raised yesterday for our charity. To put it in perspective, that amount of money would provide: 400 Christmas Turkeys; or 66 summer day camp subsidies to get kids off the smoldering summer tar and dusty city concrete and onto the fresh grass at a conservation area; or into the pools at Wild Water Kingdom, or on the Roller Coasters at Canada's Wonderland, or help develop about 100 youth leaders among our at risk youth, and the possibilities continue. What a fantastic event Shorecan produced. Peter Conroy and his colleagues are fabulous corporate citizens and as always, are pledge to them is, 100% of the money raised will get to those who need it most. We are deeply appreciative. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Thursday January 21, 2010. This is a very exciting day for us, thanks to Peter Conroy and the fine folks at Shorecan Brokers Limited. Community Centre 55 is, once again, a target of their affection. We had refreshments and conversation with the principles at the Toronto Stock Exchange, helped to open the market and then witness the dollar tsunami come rolling in. A glamorous and humbling and complimentary experience and we are deeply honoured and privileged for the experience and to be a recipient of their benevolence. Our pledge is, as always, to make sure all of the proceeds get to the people who need them. Thanks Peter and Robin et al. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Wednesday January 20, 2010. Here is a bit of a preview for next year and it will prove to be really really cool! Join 55's Polar Bear Club and Pay/Pledge and Plunge into our annual New Year's Day Dip and Swim. We will assemble on the Boardwalk at a specific location to be announced later. Plunge and swim time is 1:00pm sharp. Please arrive early.
Bring warm clothes, water shoes or sneakers, towels and your camera, costumes are fun too. We will have changing facilities on or near the Boardwalk. More details later. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Thursday January 7, 2010. Herewith is a testimony of the power of the Christmas Spirit. The following is a narrative about the experience gained by a group of people, who participated as an adopter in our Share A Christmas Adopt A Family program. Names and addresses have been removed to protect peoples privacy: "Hey Everyone!! I just wanted to send an email to update all of you on what an INCREDIBLE difference you have made to one small family's Christmas. With your help we were able to raise $595 PLUS various in-kind donations!!! That meant we were able to give the C.J. and her family a truly awesome Christmas and for that we are extremely grateful. C. J, 39 is the single mother to D. (11 years) and D. (9 years) - they live on _________ in a little apartment above a store. This week, a day before we did our drop off, the furnace in her apartment broke meaning no heat for the holidays - her landlord refused to fix it before Christmas so she had to move herself and her two boys into her mother's apartment down the street. So that is where we did our drop off - C.J. was unfortunately unable to be there because she was granted a last minute appointment with a respirologist at St. Mike's Hospital downtown an hour or two before our drop off - she has smoked most of her life and now suffers badly from COPD and Asthma. So her mother M. J. welcomed us, and we piled all of our boxes of food and gifts into her cramped little one-bedroom apartment - I think she was a little overwhelmed!! Luckily C.J. had taken D and D with her to her appointment, because there was NO way we could have hid their gifts from them otherwise! Their big ticket items were Nerf toys - they are huge!!! Before I left M. J. presented me with a gift - it was labelled 'To Santa, love D. and D.' - inside was an adorable card to me from the boys, as well as a gorgeous tea set! Absolutely unnecessary but very appreciated! I will now have something to remind me of them, as I definitely love drinking my herbal tea! With your help we were able to buy C. ALL the trimmings for Christmas dinner as well as lots more non-perishable and staple items that will last her well into the winter. Additionally we were able to buy some great gifts for the boys, including board games they could play as a family which was very important to C. To top things off, we also bought C. a few things because afterall, adults deserve a gifts from Santa as well!! Later that night, C. arrived back at her Mom's house to find all of the boxes we had dropped off - she called and left me the most beautiful message in which she was literally speechless - both M. and I got quite teary listening to it (-: So again, thank you!! A special thank you to the Contardi's who not only donated some great in-kind items that contributed to the grocery list, but also adopted a family of their very own!! Awesome! Happy Holidays everyone, you have helped make mine one of the best ever! I will be doing this again next year, and will aim to adopt two families in 2010! Thanks again and lots of love, J. xxo" Bob Murdoch |
