Resolutions - December 2024 Newsletter
As we approach the end of the year, it’s natural to reflect on the past year and ask how we did.
Did we exceed our resolutions and expectations? Was it a ‘better year’ than last?
Of course, we’re in an odd "business" because, while helping more people makes us feel good about our impact, on the whole us helping more people means more people needed help.
And we’re not alone in that reality of being busier this past year. Food banks, shelters, and many other front-line agencies we support had more people knocking on their doors in 2024 and tried to find ways to dig deep and care for those who needed care.
So, it won’t be a surprise to you that we recovered more food and household goods than in any prior year. There are still a couple of weeks to go, but all told we’re expecting it will be somewhere close to $10 million worth of still useable items we recovered and shared this calendar year across Ottawa, Kingston, and London. And we shared those goods with more organizations than ever before, including brand new friends in London.
We’ll look forward to sharing full details in our forthcoming 2024 impact report, but there’s something I want to make sure stands out as we think about the year which we’ve almost finished: the people behind the numbers. Not just the hardworking staff, volunteers, and partners, and not just the generous donors and supporters, but those we serve.
Our shelter guests, including up to 70 guests a night 365 days a year. Those we’ve helped retrain for new careers. The 30 people we shelter in supportive housing. Those enjoying a meal or accessing a local service we support.
People like E., who we first met through our vocational training program. It has been a joy to walk alongside him as he retrains, rebuilds, and rejoices in the hope and freedom he now has.
Some of the people coming to us for help didn’t need help years ago. For many, the need has increased. We’re here today, ten years after our founding, to help meet those needs thanks to your support.
Coretta Scott King once said, "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." As we continue to work to address these most pressing challenges facing our country today, we’re grateful for all those who have made each year, each program, and each delivery of hope possible.
Travis Blackmore
Founder and CEO, Lionhearts Inc.
Kingston
A Box With a Bow
We've got a few recent supporters to thank! COBS Bread Kingston and the Rotary Club of Kingston teamed up to raise over $7,000 for us with a Student Food Box fundraiser earlier this month.
We also received $16,000 from the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area to support the Food Box.
Thank you all for helping local families!
All Dressed For The Holiday
Just in time for the holidays, the Lionhearts kitchen team is rolling out two new delicious flavours at our Fresh Food Market Pop-Ups!
Pop on down to a market to pick up our new Caesar dressing ($8.50) or Apple Chutney ($6)!
Wondering where the nearest market is? For full list of locations and times, visit:
Ottawa
Delivering Cheer
Ho-ho-holy moly! Our merry band of elves got into their sleighs and delivered thousands of toys to the good girls and boys.
Thank you to generous supplier partners who give us food and household goods (including toys!) to redistribute to our vulnerable neighbours this holiday season and all year 'round.
Bear-y Good News
Lions and bears, oh my! Welcome to the Ottawa Black Bears and congratulations on your season launch.
The Bears won their first game, and it was a win for us and the organizations we support too! We recovered leftover catering food from the game for redistribution to local agencies that can put it to good use.
We'll be doing the same for the upcoming World Juniors Hockey Tournament, too!
London and HQ
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.
Here We Grow!
Please join us in welcoming Darla Brown to our team as our Director of Fundraising!
Darla is a highly accomplished senior executive leader with a proven track record of accelerating business growth, executing successful projects, building high-performing teams and achieving profitable outcomes.
As Director of Fundraising, Darla will be charged with helping to keep us delivering hope 364 days a year in the growing list of communities we serve.