When my Editor asked me to do an article about Caledon’s Santa Fund, I immediately contacted Monty Laskin, the CEO of Caledon Community Services (CCS), to arrange an interview. I know Monty to be an outgoing, energetic, very positive man.
He responded immediately, grateful for Just Sayin’ Caledon doing the article. But the rest of his response took me by surprise: “Truly, almost two years of this and feeling it so profoundly in my body and soul. And hey, I have a backyard, a healthy family, and food in my fridge every day. The pandemic for me has been tough but by no means hardship like many others have experienced. Covid-19 from an equity lens is truly a different phenomenon for us all. This year’s
Santa Fund needs to make that point to our community, it’s been bad and it’s going to be a lot worse in 2022.”
Sometimes we forget that those who look after us, like the incredible team of people at CCS who have to maintain a public face of cheer, are also exhausted and feeling the pandemic pressures. But they never seem to give up.
Monty explained why we can’t give up. Although Caledon can consider itself fortunate in the global picture of things, we do have over 750 children at risk in families living below the poverty line or LICO, the federal Low Income Cut-Off.
The Santa Fund is an essential part of the Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy co-chaired by the United Way of Greater Toronto and the Region of Peel committed to ensuring that Peel Region is a livable community for all. That means much more than just toys in the traditional gift-giving seasons. It means a roof over our heads, food on the table, proper clothing, and the Internet functioning so that our children can join their cohorts in online learning.
Monty was intent on spreading the message as to just how extensive and necessary The Santa Fund is for providing those essentials. “Making our community aware of the benefits of supporting The Santa Fund in this critical year is paramount to its success.”
With that in mind, Monty was more than thankful to Peel Region’s two school Boards for getting out the message. With the help of Trustees Stan Cameron (Public) and Frank Di Cosola (Catholic) a letter was circulated to both school boards.
With a full Santa Fund, CCS will be able to send out gift cards every month to over 300 families in need. The traditional big donors have been stepping up (like Husky Injection Moulding Systems CEO John Halt’s $35,000 pledge to match funds this year) but the community base needs to expand and realize that The Santa Fund is much more than just a “Santa” fund that provides gifts for the HoHoholidays – it also supports the basic needs of families in need throughout the year.
Last year The Santa Fund raised $267,000 from just over 700 donors. Imagine if just a loonie was donated from every person in Caledon. That would be over $60,000.00. For a family of five that’s only $5.00. And when we cast our loonies upon the waters of Caledon we will get them back a hundredfold in joy from a grateful, livable community.
CCS celebrated their 50th year during the online Gala on December 4th. That also marked the 40th year of The Santa Fund. If you participated in the Gala you would have seen a video segment and heard the true stories of four people who were recipients of assistance from our Caledon Community Services.
Just Sayin’ Caledon has received permission to share those stories this week. Watch for them. They will touch your heart.
Our community will need us more than ever in 2022. All of us.
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