Gold - November 2024 Newsletter
Did you know gold doesn’t rust?
It’s one of just 10 metals that don’t rust – along with silver, platinum, and (as you might’ve already guessed) stainless steel. Yet, if you found a pot of silver or stainless steel at the end of a rainbow I suspect you’d be a bit disappointed.
After all, the fact gold does not rust isn’t the only reason we view gold as valuable. Aluminum doesn’t rust either – basically any metal with minimal iron content doesn’t rust. Yet aluminum is quite cheap by comparison. I suspect getting a stainless steel necklace as a gift for a loved one would not be as well received as a similar gold necklace.
There are many reasons given for why gold holds that special place of esteem that some of its peers don’t. It’s shiny. It’s beautiful. It’s malleable, making it easily stamped into currency or made into jewelry.
But beyond all those practical reasons, can we agree that gold has a value that goes beyond its physical material? That we, as humans, have decided gold has some special property that makes it especially desirable? So much so, in fact, that gold bouillon is currently trading at over $84,000 USD per kilogram!
The same idea that an item can have value beyond physical properties is true of people too, is it not? Some well-intentioned scientists once calculated up the value of all the minerals contained in a human body. Their estimate: about $5. Yet, much like gold, we know people are worth far more than the sum of their chemicals and minerals – each person has inherent dignity and worth that isn’t measurable in dollars or on a scientific scale.
When we talk about restoring dignity and hope, we’re trying to help those we serve see their own inherent value and worth. Despite what may have happened to them, or the choices they’ve made, or the lies they’ve believed, we see gold underneath whatever may be obscuring their view.
There’s a really neat Japanese art called Kintsugi – the repairing of broken pottery or glass with golden lacquer. The point is to put the object back together and, while it’s not the same as it was before, through the Kintsugi process it is made beautiful once again. The value of the original is once again made apparent.
As the holidays will soon be upon us, can I challenge you to find the gold hidden in those around you? It’s one way we can all contribute to a brighter end to 2024, and new beginnings in 2025.
Travis Blackmore
Founder and CEO, Lionhearts Inc.
Kingston
We Like Them Apples!
We had a beautiful donation from Wynn Farms recently of over 5,000 lbs of apples and squash!
From Sarah and James at Wynn Farms:
"It’s important our kids understand what Lionhearts does and why it’s important to send extra produce each year to an incredible organization who embraces community. Thank you for all you do 365 days a year!"
Thank YOU Sarah and James to your whole family and your crew for this generous and delicious delivery.
A Dream Come True
Say cheese!
We're once again grateful to the Kinsmen Club of Kingston for their steadfast support of our Student Food Box program. The Kinsmen have made a $30,000 donation to help us keep on delivering hope - that's a lot of cheddar! This generous contribution will help us consistently deliver items like eggs, yogurt, cereal, canned proteins, and more.
Thank you to the Kinsmen Club members (represented here by Graham Forsythe), their supporters, and to all those who buy a Kinsmen Dream Home Lottery Ticket for your continued support in making a meaningful difference for local families.
Ottawa
Pump It Up!
Halloween may be over, but we're still dishing out the treats! Thanks to everyone who donated their pumpkin last week through our friends at Ottawa South Eco-Action Network (OSEAN)!
So far we’ve turned these sweet gourds into delicious meals like a “Butter Pumpkin” take on a curry, holiday soups, and pumpkin puree for pies.
Green Is Good
Lettuce celebrate a successful greens rescue! A huge thank you to our partners Michele, Graeme, and Jake for making a recent pick-up of four pallets of lettuce possible!
We also couldn’t have done this without our friends at Rotary Club Of West Ottawa and Rotary Club of Montreal! Thank you for your help in providing this rescue opportunity, assisting with coordination and logistics, and even helping with fuel costs (thank you Jake!).
London and Head Office
Walking the Streets of London
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. More details to come!
We're Hiring!
We are still looking for our inaugual Director of Fundraising. If you know of someone who might be a fit, please send them to: