Love on the Brain
In May 2021, a family's world was changed forever when their 59-year-old matriarch was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and incurable brain cancer. Despite undergoing surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, she succumbed to the disease 22 months later, far exceeding the typical 18-month life expectancy. The Love on the Brain Initiative was established in her honour to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Dedicated to advancing research for this underfunded and devastating disease, the initiative's inaugural event on February 10, 2024, raised over $37,000 to support vital brain cancer research.
Youth Bocce Canada (2005-2024)
Sometimes it's the small things in people's lives that affect the greatest changes to a community that is why North American Paper Products is a proud supporter of local Youth Bocce Canada program, an associate partner of Special Olympics Ontario. The program was selectively chosen because it allowed direct involvement with the charity and the distribution of its sources.
Their mission at Youth Bocce Canada is to support over 350 athletes with disabilities in the Greater Toronto Area by using the game of bocce to promote participation, socialization, and give a sense of community and belonging to the athletes; all goals that are shared by the family at North American Paper Products.
With the vision of dedicated program President Lee Prioriello and the likes of North American Paper Products, Youth Bocce Canada has set up its very own magazine called Youth Bocce Canada Magazine that helps support and call attention to their cause, helped establish in 1999 the Youth Bocce Canadian Championships for the Disabled with over 350 athletes participating each year, and keeping the traditional Youth Bocce Christmas Luncheons going strong each year.
Only with the continuing support of companies like North American Paper Products can programs like Youth Bocce Canada continue to survive and give these tremendous athletes a way to express themselves.
Brain Changes
Brain Changes Initiative (BCI) is a not-for-profit organization that funds ground-breaking research to improve the standard of care for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) rehabilitation. BCI also provides awareness, advocacy, and support for Traumatic Brain Injury survivors through knowledge translation, hosting events and establishing programs centred around non-pharmacological approaches to healing the brain.
Eddie’s Network
Eddie's Network is a group of over 1000 volunteers, who are dedicated to helping locate lost dogs in Toronto, and neighbouring cities. Their volunteers help by promoting awareness via custom poster design, low cost printing, postering, door-to-door canvassing, social media efforts, contacting local businesses, and supporting the families of lost pets. They share resources to help expedite a pet's return home, while also aiming to educate pet owners on lost dog prevention, to help avoid these heartbreaking and stressful experiences from happening.
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Holy Cows (2006)
Not the most traditional sounding charitable organization but Holy Cows is probably one of the most effective, and it all sprang up out of a simple request during mass in a Toronto church.
When Father Emmanuel Walakira of Uganda was at the end of his visit with the St-Wilfrid's Parish of Father Massey Lombardi in Toronto, Father Massey asked if there was any gift his parish could give him to take back home to his followers. The response came back immediately, “A cow,” he said. At first the Toronto parishioners laughed at the idea but when Father Emmanuel went on to explain the crucial role played by cattle in the local economy they understood that the few dollars it cost to buy a cow could bring about major changes throughout his entire village.
Father Massey immediately appealed to his parishioners who responded with compassion and generosity donating over $60,000 toward the new venture. “Everyone saw the need… It was a heartening experience,” said Father Massey.
What started with a simple request for a single cow quickly blossomed into an 80 cow herd, funds for essentials to fight malaria, AIDS, support for the Parish clinic, books, school supplies, farm equipment, and much more. Father Emmanuel returned home to his village in Uganda with the good news and immediately set out to purchase the cows and begin the process of healing the village.
But the needs of this very poor area did not stop with the purchase of 80 cows that is why North American Paper Products continues to support the goodwill initiative of Father Massey and Father Emmanuel. The cows have brought a sense of hope to the village but the people need more and with the help of North American Paper Products and many generous donations they are helping to build schools and affect more changes to the village.
But as Father Massey discovered on a personal visit to the village much more is needed. In the neighboring villages, people are afflicted with the same problems of disease, poverty, and hunger. The task is a large one but after the success with the Parish of Father Emmanuel, the need for a project like Holy Cows and the involvement of companies like North American Paper Products is all the more necessary.
“For us, the amount raised is not a lot, but for them the ripple effect is incredible because we are giving them a lifeline. And we're going to keep on doing so,” said Father Massey.
Special Olympics Canada
In 2006, North American Paper Products started a relationship with Special Olympics Canada that proudly continues to this day.
Having that hands on approach to their charitable works has enabled the Special Olympics Canada program to grow even further and given the family at North American Paper Products a sense of accomplishing something extra within their community.
From fund raising events to the Draft an Athlete Program, North American Paper Products has been at the forefront of their work with the gifted athletes of the Special Olympics.
In 2007, North American Paper Products joined the Draft an Athlete Program to help a promising young Canadian realize a dream to compete in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai China.
Finding it difficult to secure funding the Brave Canadian athletes rely on companies like North American Paper Products to be able to represent their flag proudly, which is why North American Paper Products was more than happy to fully sponsor Track and Field athlete Reisha Baxter of Brantford Ontario. Everyone at North American Paper will be cheering her on as she goes for gold in Shanghai in October 2007.
If you would like to learn more about Special Olympics Canada and the Draft an Athlete Program please visit www.specialolympics.ca
