By Kathryn Stocks
After the success of their Community Tree Lighting Party at Christmas, Alan and Jodi Gear are again partnering with PC Randy Arsenault, 43 Division’s Community Engagement Officer, to hold a second event. This time it will be a Family Movie Afternoon to raise money for a safe house for women and children here in the community.
The Gears met Arsenault and his partner PC Papadopoulos a few months ago. They had told them about their tree lighting party and the officers jumped at the chance to get involved. They both attended the event along with other officers to take some pictures and to meet the people who came out.
A week or so later, Alan and Jodi bumped into Arsenault and Papadopoulos. The officers had just dropped off Christmas gifts to a safe house for women and children. They told the Gears a bit about the shelter. The women had escaped from very dangerous relationships and this secured facility within our community protects them from being found. You’d never know it’s there as the protection for these women and children is their utmost priority.
After learning more, Jodi decided she wanted to help in some way. These women with their babies come to the facility most of the time with just the clothes on their backs. She and Alan decided to hold an event to raise money to give the women and children things we all take for granted on a daily basis. The manager of the home is thankful for any help.
Jodi said she is very lucky to have some unbelievable women in her life who also want to contribute. When she told them about her plans to help, without hesitation they wanted to get involved. To name a few, Kirsten of Four Sweet Cookies, Mary of Mary K Jewels, Kristen of Bubble Time Bath Bombs and Claire Wing of Thirty One Gifts. Along with the safe house and PC Arsenault, they will also be planning fun activities for the children in the home to help bring a little joy.
Event details:
A Family Movie Afternoon will be held on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 1-4 p.m. at the Port Union Community Centre. There will be some local vendors: Kirsten of Four Sweet Cookies will have a cookie decorating table and Mary from Mary K Jewels will be selling bracelets with all proceeds being donated to the cause.
The cost will be $5 per person (kids 3 and under are free) and it includes snacks and drinks. All money raised will go toward the safe house. There will be some amazing raffle baskets, a draw to win a police station tour and a chance to win an Amazon Echo!
If you can’t attend but would like to make a donation, contact Jodi at 416-880-8433 or jodi@gearrealty.com. Anyone who donates will receive a pair of 2018 VIP Home Show Tickets.