Elevating - January 2025 Newsletter
It may be hard to believe, but once upon a time cities like New York wouldn’t build above four stories. OK, maybe it won’t be quite so difficult for my Kingston readers to believe! (Kidding of course)
The reason was simple: most people didn’t trust elevators even after they started to become more common in the mid-19th century. Would-be passengers were afraid of the ropes breaking, resulting in a faster-than-planned trip to the ground floor.
So it was that Elisha Otis in 1853 exhibited his improved elevator at the World’s Fair, held at New York’s Crystal Palace. And he didn’t just demonstrate it: he stood in the elevator cab while a worker with an axe cut the rope above him.
As this happened, the elevator’s safety devices went to work and prevented Mr. Otis from falling, providing relief to spectators and, I’m sure, to Mr. Otis.
Elevator sales would soon rise, allowing taller buildings to be built. Today, Otis Worldwide Corporation’s products move 2.3 billion people worldwide, including visitors to and residents of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest structure.
Otis’ statements, press releases, and personal promises about elevator safety meant very little until he stood in that box suspended in the sky in front of that World’s Fair crowd. Seeing is believing.
We want to provide a similar, albeit less suspenseful, experience for a few Lionhearts supporters. You know what we do, but do you want to see what we do? Go behind the scenes?
Please get in touch if you might be interested.
Travis Blackmore
Founder and CEO, Lionhearts Inc.
Kingston Update
Excellent Taste
Thank you to our friends at The Judgement of Kingston! This annual wine-tasting competition is also a fundraiser supporting charities like us!
We recently received a cheque for $3,500 from the organizers of this year's event. Thank you to all for your support!
Bread Box
Our friends at COBS Bread Kingston RioCan held a fundraiser for our Student Food Box program - and our friends from Rotary Club of Kingston chipped in too!
The grand total: $8,506 raised!
Thank you to all the COBS customers, to Rotary, and to local COBS franchisee Ashley Logan for your support. And thank you to COBS staff and our volunteers for making it all happen!
Ottawa Update
Go Team!
We're thrilled to announce we've won a Canadian Choice Award in the Charity category! Thanks to those who nominated and voted for us!
We share this award with the many volunteers, partners, and donors who help us do what we do each and every day.
Go Teams!
Though it wasn't the result Team Canada was hoping for at the World Juniors hockey tournament, the tournament was a win for local charities! We helped redistribute trays upon trays of food and pizzas to places like the Shepherds of Good Hope.
London and HQ Update
Coldest Night of the Year
We'll be hosting Coldest Night of the Year walks in 2025 in Ottawa, Kingston, and, for the first time, London! CNOY 2025 will be held Sat. Feb. 22.
Registration to walk and fundraise is now open at cnoy.org! If you know of a business which might like to sponsor, please get in touch.
Partner Recognition
We work every day to deliver hope to people experiencing some of Canada's most challenging problems right now. In December, we announced a donation of another home in Kingston to our supportive housing program. Thank you to Kingston Health Sciences Centre for your support!