Normally, this is the time of year when the Rotary Club of Innisfil is busy, preparing its 'Candyland Express' train for local Santa Claus Parades and fundraising for the food bank and other causes.
“It’s so hard this year,” said Rotarian Anne Kell. Not only have parades been cancelled, “We can’t do the fundraising… We can’t do the food drive at Sandycove Acres (retirement community)," she said. "We usually get two tonnes of food, as well as cash.”
But Rotary has been finding other ways to help – including a partnership with Innisfil C4Kids Year Round (formerly Innisfil Christmas 4 Kids), to provide personal care, toiletry and hygiene items for at-risk youth who are living in poverty, homeless or “couch surfing.”
Hand-made shoe bags are filled with the items, and a "fun treat," and distributed through C4Kids, which has worked with schools and local families to identify 71 local at-risk youth.
Rotarians have already filled two dozen of the colourful bags, each one tailored for a boy or a girl.
This week, their efforts got a boost from the owners of the Pharmasave Lefroy Pharmacy.
Mani Alavi and Ali Zohouri opened the Lefroy Pharmacy in 2017, on Innisfil Beach Road. While living in Toronto, they partnered to bring a healthcare-related business to the growing and under-serviced communities of Lefroy and Belle Ewart.
They also threw themselves into efforts to support their new communities, hosting a fundraising barbecue to benefit the local Fire Service – but like the Rotary Club, this year found their fundraising plans overturned by COVID-19.
That’s why Alavi, Zohouri and new partner Dr. Bahareh Tamiji, who recently joined the healthcare team to open Dentistry at Lefroy, were immediately on board when they learned of the project to support youth.
The team have provided enough products – toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss from Dentistry at Lefroy; hygiene and personal care items from Lefroy Pharmacy – to fill another 28 bags.
“These folks wanted to support the community,” said Rotarian Barb Baguley.
Baguley, Rotary President Ann Smith, Rotarian Brandy Hill, and Kell, representing C4Kids, accepted the donations with thanks.
“It’s going to make a big difference to a lot of youth, especially at Christmas,” said Smith – kids who, she said, “don’t have a lot.”
Zohouri explained that ever since Lefroy Pharmacy and Dentistry at Lefroy opened their doors, they have been “warmly welcomed by residents of Lefroy, Belle Ewart, Gilford and Churchill. In return, Lefroy Pharmacy and Dentistry at Lefroy wish to contribute back to our community.”
He added, “In these challenging times, as many families face increasing financial burdens, the two healthcare businesses joined together to partner with Innisfil Rotary, and contribute to their efforts to donate to C4Kids charity.”
Alavi agreed, noting that as a health-related business that plays a role in the local community, “you have a good idea of what people in the community need.”
C4Kids, which usually holds a toy drive at this time of year, has also been impacted by the pandemic. The local charity is currently looking for cash donations, to fill Christmas wish lists and holiday hampers for Innisfil families in need. For information or to donate to C4Kids, contact Myrlene Boken at 705-456-6731 or click here.
To contact the Rotary Club of Innisfil, click here.
