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Meet some of the volunteers who helped pack 2,470 Comfort Kits for children and youth entering care across Canada
There are many reasons people volunteer. For some, it’s born out of a personal connection to a cause. For others, it just feels good to give back. And for others still, it’s something they’ve been meaning to do for years and, it turns out, needed just a little encouragement.
Those were just some of the reasons volunteers gave to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAFC) during packing day for the Ted and Loretta Rogers Foster Care Comfort Kits Program in Mississauga, ON, on October 15.
AMJ – the trusted shipping partner for CAFC – provided the space and the support on the day, when volunteers from AMJ, Northbridge, CIBC, Scotiabank, and Air Canada came together to pack 2,470 Comfort Kits. That means 2,470 children and youth entering foster care in nine regions across Canada will receive a backpack filled with items – teddy bears, toiletries, blankets, books, toys, and crayons, among others – during a difficult transition in their lives.
Through the Comfort Kits program, 2,530 kits were distributed last June, 5,120 were distributed last year, and more than 28,000 have been distributed over the last decade.
Now, let’s meet some of the volunteers from the October 15 packing day, learn what Comfort Kit packing day meant to them, and what it means to give back.
Cathy Ramsamujh, CAFC volunteer for 35 years
“Over the years, I’ve heard sad stories of kids that have gone through the system. They were dealt a bad hand. At the same time, I’ve heard uplifting stories, because some of them are able to improve their lives and hopefully come out of that cycle of hardship to make it. So, you hear that and it’s really hard not to (volunteer).
“I’ve had a very good life, and I need to be able to give back somehow. At first, I couldn’t manage to do it financially, but now I’m able to do that as well. When I volunteer, I’ll leave today and I’ll just feel fantastic knowing that I was able to help.”
Jeanne and Isabelle Frappier, AMJ
Jeanne: “It’s very humbling. As a mom of four, you know what it’s like when kids are young, and they need comfort, they need security, and this little gift that we’re providing – a backpack with all these amenities – is absolutely comforting for them.”
Isabelle: “It’s really great seeing so many people come together to do this and take time out of their day to volunteer. It’s like you said, just heavy hearts seeing so many backpacks that are going to be sent out and helping these kids. It means a lot.”
“Without volunteers and organizations and foundations, what kind of life are we living? What’s the purpose of us being here? We’re all humans; we’re all trying to get through the same thing – you’re surviving life.”
— Jeanne Frappier
Jeanne: “And as a child, you can’t make those decisions on your own, on necessities and what’s important to you. But as adults, we know what it takes to be happy, what we need to nourish ourselves spiritually, mentally, physically. So, by doing things like this, and volunteering, that’s our duty as human beings. That doesn’t have to be anything big. It could be just something simple – your time.”
Jeffrey Tipay, CIBC
“I’ve always known that it would feel good while you’re doing it, because you’re helping kids. I love it. It’s – I can’t explain it. It’s rewarding, but it’s something deeper than that for some reason.
“You’re trying to make a difference in your own small way to kids who really need it.”
— Jeffrey Tipay
“It actually hit close. A couple months ago, I was talking to a colleague of mine. I’ve known him for years. I didn’t know he was fostered. So, he’s telling me his story, and it really touched me. (Today) when I heard this was for foster care – I didn’t know it was for foster kids – my coworker suddenly came to mind.
“That coworker does foster care as well for kids, so it’s full circle for him, and now I understand. For the most part, he said it was really hard on him. But then there was this couple that really, really touched his life. And I think that’s what really guided him. He’s doing okay. He’s doing good now. I think sometimes it takes a while. That couple really took him in and mentored him. So, that’s with him for life. He’s trying to pay it forward, I think.”
Paula Shepherd, Air Canada
“We feel the impact. We see how our contribution actually materializes into impact for the kids. I never thought of the discomfort that they may be feeling when they’re going to somewhere new, so the fact that we could do something small to help them, comfort them, in that time of need, is a great feeling.
“We’re making a big impact. At the end of this day, we’re going to have made thousands of bags; and just those couple hours would have made a lot of kids happy, and it just took a couple hours out of our day.”
Kristen Glazier, AMJ
“I think if you have a chance to (volunteer) – do it. It’s for a fantastic cause. It only takes a few hours of your day to help somebody, and this world needs it right now.
“It’s great that AMJ partners with Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. It’s a big foundation and AMJ is a big company, and I think the partnership’s fantastic and I’m so happy that they’re doing this for all the kids.”
Nicole Pereira, Scotiabank
“When we’re thinking of kids who really need that help, it’s nice to know we’re putting together a little care package just to remind the kids we are thinking of you.
“Knowing that we’re being proactive, that we’re doing something to help them, is the most impactful and the nicest part.”
— Nicole Pereira
“I’ve actually had a couple family members who’ve been in the foster care system and were raised by foster families before they found their forever home. So, I feel like this does hit a little close to me personally. But I think the numbers are always surprising to hear, especially because a lot of people, when they think of foster kids, think of horrible situations. But it could be anything: mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, or just overall not a great environment for the kids.”
Steve Giamos, Northbridge
“It’s about giving back to the community, making an impact in a positive way, helping others that aren’t as lucky as us.
“It means I’m making someone’s Christmas, or someone’s life, a bit happier, giving them something that they weren’t as lucky to have; educating them, in a way, because the books can educate them, giving them some comfort, increasing their creativity with the crayons.
“It’s the sort of thing you don’t realize how good it makes you feel until you’ve done it, and that feeling in itself is a great accomplishment.”
