Update — Ukraine to Lanark County — Don’t Stop Believin’ Edition

Want to help your community? Tips and advice here from the Carleton Place crew who started it all. Thanks Zack and Mary

Facebook group click—to find out what is going on daily and what is needed

Aaaand it’s here! The new stream is live, . It’s similar to what was already happening, with a few ‘quality of life’ changes. Biometrics are still needed, covid tests are still needed, and they are still not considered refugees and will need our help.

“The CUAET is a temporary residence pathway and is not a refugee stream,’ is a direct quote, so understand they are still not being given anything directly from the government.

NEW UPDATES from Scott Reid’s office on immigration

The new  visa  application for Ukrainian nationals is launched:  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/cuaet.html

Along with a Job Bank for Ukraine nationals   https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report_note.do?cid=18538#er

These next few weeks are going to be the toughest in terms of workload AND the amount of funding that will be needed. You have all stepped up to help us, and we asked that you continue to do so during these tough times our county is strong, our kindness is stronger and our compassion is incomparable – let’s ensure the Ukrainians feel and understand that too!–– Zack and Mary

Clothing and Toiletry etc.Donations go to:

St James’ Carleton Place is collecting donations for people forced to leave Ukraine.  Visit http://stjamescarletonplace.ca/tag/ukraine/ to learn how you can make a difference in our community and in the world God loves.

Archdeacon Brian Kalk, Peter Hicks (St. James) and Michelle Vee ( Ottawa Valley Community Church under Ahren Summach as Pastor) and community are taking care of business.

Carleton Place Churches together are asking for your support. Imagine if you lost your luggage and just got off a plane– we need things like that. We can’t donate underwear so we ask for gift cards to Walmart to be donated so they can purchase underwear. etc..

Better Yet Support Local

Buy gift cards from a local business and support local and our Ukrainian refugees— It’s a win win situation.

Our BIA Bucks are on the sale for 10% off for a limited time!  We need your help getting the word out. Please share the attached creative image on your social media channels. We have such an opportunity with this sale. Consider matching the sale with your own 10% discount

Gift card donations always welcome

Members of St James’ Anglican, Ottawa Valley Community, Carleton Place Baptist and Zion-Memorial United Churches ask for your support as we prepare to welcome Ukrainian families fleeing the war, coming to our area.

View the donations coming into St.James here–https://fb.watch/bRRu8Z5sX3/

Donations

You can donate to the charity of your choice, but we are encouraging everyone to consider donating to Carebridge who is helping finance the new Ukraine settlement in Lanark County.

Carebridge Community Support · 

Carebridge Community Support has set up an account for the resettlement of people from Ukraine to Lanark County. Donations can be made via cheque (mention “Ukraine” on the note line, our address is 67 Industrial Dr., Almonte, ON, K0A 1A0),  or on our website, https://carebridge.ca/donate (mention “Ukraine” in the text box as you fill in your information).  Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $25. 

At present we are working with the resettlement group in Carleton Place

Thanks to Zack and Mary for getting us all involved as anything you do is saving lives. Can you imagine that?? Saving Lives!!!!

Photos thanks to Susan Burke— Ukraine what once was……

NOW

Love Comes to Carleton Place — In Memory of Samantha Mitchell part 2

The Pink Free Library coming to Carleton Place in honour of Samantha Mitchell

I just started writing and I am already crying. There was a ‘celebration of life’ Saturday at the KIN Vineyards in Carp, Ontario and I was crying there too. Of course you could rent me out to weddings, funerals and bar mitzvahs— but the passing of Samantha Mitchell was not only a huge loss for the family, but for the community. If you don’t know who Sam was please click here-Samantha Mitchell –Warrior

Also check what she has written in her blog and on her Facebook page. For seven years Samantha Mitchell had metastatic breast cancer and it never stopped her once. Even though she went through hundreds of rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, multiple craniotomies and dozens of hospital stays she carried on her advocacy for the breast cancer community. She wasn’t afraid of anything anymore and cancer didn’t bring her to her knees; it brought her to her feet.

Did you know this powerhouse of a woman help raised $30,000 for cancer research? Why I Fundraise For MBC click -and on Saturday the giving kept going. Now in Samantha’s memory they are erecting ” Sammy’s Memorial Little Free Library” on Lake Ave East.

We have checked with Len at the Town Hall and all is kosherfor the placement, but now the family is collecting donations for the free library with all extra monies to be donated to Sammy’s favourite cancer charity : ReThink Breast Cancer

So if you have an extra dollar or two think of sending some dollars for Sammy and watch out for the pink library coming to Lake Ave East.

We are currently accepting e transfer donations directly to myself (jeff@thestashandco.com). These funds will go directly to the construction of the little free library, bronze plaque, and surrounding garden. Any extra funds will be donated to ReThink Breast Cancer, the charity that Samantha worked with. Thank you so much! Jeff MItchell

Jeff and Sammy Mitchell

Amanda WintonI have this really beautiful and vivid memory of you dancing at Zaphod’s to Robyn’s Dancing On My Own. – but there you were on the dance floor, looking like you had just walked out of a glossy fashion magazine.I am so thankful to have been on that dance floor with you, both literally and metaphorically. You are exceptional in every way.

KIN Vineyards–2225 Craig’s Side Rd, Carp, ON K0A 1L0

Bianca Adam

June 16  · I’m so incredibly grateful I got to know you in this thing we call life. I’ll happily be your Fred Flinstone any day. 

“If it was my wife or sister I wouldn’t recommend they do anymore treatment. In fact, your quality of life may be longer and better”.
It’s been the better part of 6 years and being given permission to be still now, to be grateful and applauded for what I’ve been able to accomplish feels good. My mantra has always been to fight for those living with MBC when they couldn’t anymore – now the time has come when I hope someone will do that for me.
This time I’m left with now is this insurmountable decision – one that you think you’ve made when you’re well (“I would never jeapordize any of my QOL!), to letting that fear creep in (“well maybe I can handle one more treatment”).
I know I want to enjoy the time I do have – which looks a lot like printing photos for new vinyl photo albums, getting my health records documented on my blog, seeing my friends and family, putting some early work into this years Turning the Page on Cancer, snuggling dogs and (hopefully) being able to see the gorgeous end of the renovation.
I still desperately want everyone around me to be normal. I know that this can make others feel uncomfortable and not know what to say or how to react, just know I appreciate your trying.
As for a timeline, I know after 6+ years no one can tell me definitively how to navigate this. My oncologists have told me to expect sooner then later but they aren’t sure.
That’s the cancer update I never wanted to post. Now it’s done and I feel an immense weight lifted off me. I posted more in my blog which is at the link in my profile.
#metastaticbreastcancer #talkingtomycancer #stage4breastcancer
http://un-organizedmind.blogspot.com/…/dying-with-grace…

Greg ThaggardYou humble and strengthen me Sam

Joanne BrunetSamantha from the day I met you… I saw someone who did everything what’s right and did it with Grace!!! 

Emma Elizabeth Good-JobI love you Sam for all your courage, strength, honesty, grace and pure heart of gold. You are an inspiration of hope to literally everyone! Including me… big hug and I miss so dearly seeing you and your mom. Bless you for being you. 

Samantha DreilingLove you Sam, you are a light to so many. Thank you for always sharing your story and being so open and vulnerable. You are a true gift. I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve been through, but you’ve blessed the world by being you  I hope you get to do as much as you can and feel happiness and peace in your heart  sending love always, Sammi xo

Jeff NeedhamYour bravery is everlasting inspiration. I see it in your family into our community you are a tour de force Samantha. I love  these posts you bring brilliant perspective where no one I have ever witnessed has. You are a tremendous Champion of our cause. Inspirational life of a trophy  wife…anyone who gets a glimpse gets fuel for their s…I want to play all the music  you love  all at once every time I read one of your posts.

Glenn JungSamantha Mitchell Sam, you are a inspiration to many and should be to all. With how you have shown us true courage, dignity, resilience and compassion through this. You are loved by so many and cherished by even more. Thankyou for continuing to share this journey with all of us. We are sending you big hugs!!

Collecting donations for the free library with all extra monies to be donated to Sammy’s favourite cancer charity : ReThink Breast Cancer

E transfer donations directly to (jeff@thestashandco.com). These funds will go directly to the construction of the little free library, bronze plaque, and surrounding garden. Any extra funds will be donated to ReThink Breast Cancer, the charity that Samantha worked with. Thank you so much! Jeff Mitchell

“Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal, and not wound.”

Read more about Sam here —Samantha Mitchell –Warrior

This is not goodbye Samantha Mitchell– we will keep the memories alive

Carleton Place 911-Who is Going to Hurt in the Long Run?

I was at the Carleton Place Hospital meeting Wednesday night and things got way out of control. A line has now been drawn between board members and our local citizens. Both sides are passionate in what they feel is right for our hospital. Each side has their own valid reasons, but what is crucial here is no one is going to win acting like this. Do you know who is going to suffer in the long run? Everyone in the community that uses our hospital. Like a union strike, no one wins.

Everyone, as well they should be, should be concerned with rules, procedures, and compositions of committees. However,  I am sure donations to the hospital are slowing down due to personal convictions, and that is wrong. With this enormous attention on the board of directors matter is everyone falling asleep at the wheel?

Our conviction should be that we all benefit from working on a team, and that more often than not, one plus one does equal three. Do I think the board is too big? Small’s considered good, big’s considered bad. But big boards exist at some great and admired companies—GE and Wal-Mart—along with some poorly performing companies like US Airways and AT&T. At the same time, small boards are part of the landscape at good companies like Microsoft and some not-so-good companies like Trump. But we are not an urban landscape here, we live in Carleton Place, population 10,000. I repeat, we are a population of 10,000 folks. Why can’t we work together on anything in this town? Especially something as important as this.

People identify a hospital with their community. In some small cities and certainly more rural areas, it may be the only hospital within 25 miles or so. I have posted pictures of only a few of the donator’s names that were posted in the Carleton Place Canadian in the 50s.

This hospital was built and carried through the years by donations from our local community. When we talk about building healthier communities, we mean the process of working together to address what matters to them- and this matters. But why oh why has it come down to this? Lets’ resolve this issue quickly before it is too late.

PLEASE do not forget our Carleton Place & Memorial District Hospital. Please donate by clicking here. Don’t let the hospital suffer because of this mess. We are a community- the names in the newspaper tell the tale– let’s act like one and fix this mess TOGETHER.

 

 

RELATED READING

 

News Release- Carleton Place Hospital Board Reduced from 22 to 17 Members

Is it Hamburgers or Health Care Carleton Place?

Raise the Roof for Joyce Murray

Related reading:The Emporium of Life — Joyce Murray

A roof /ˈruf/ is part of a building envelope. It is the covering on the uppermost part of a building or shelter which provides protection from animals and weather, notably rain or snow, but also heat, wind and sunlight. The durability of a roof is a matter of concern because the roof is often the least accessible part of a building for purposes of repair and renewal, while its damage or destruction can have serious effects.

In layman’s terms, it’s the thing above your head as you sleep that protects you from the weather and flying monkeys. Joyce Murray, a pillar of our community for years is in desperate need of a new roof for her business. I started to write something, but quickly realized I could not write anything better than her daughter Shannon did. Please take the time to read this in its entirety, and let’s give back to a woman who devoted her life to the town of Carleton Place.

For decades, Joyce Murray (owner of Murray’s Furniture & Flea Market) has given selflessly to the Carleton Place community. She was integral in the founding of The Lanark County Food Bank, has worked and volunteered for Lanark County Interval House, as well as Lanark County Support Services. She has hosted and contributed to countless fundraising initiatives, including currently donating space at the flea market for local charities (Dickie’s Cause 4 Paws and Lanark County Food Bank) to sell wares to raise funds for their charities.

And now, she is asking the community for help. She needs a new roof put on before the snow comes.

The goal is to raise close to $10K goal, which we know is on the HIGH side, but we are still in hopes of getting a better quote for the roof, or possibly some materials donated!

On September 26th, we are holding a Raise The Roof fundraiser at Murray’s Furniture & Flea Market which will include an online auction, BBQ, a yard sale and movie in the parking lot. Please check back here as more details come in.

EVERY dollar counts and won’t go unnoticed. It has taken a lot for Joyce to ask for help… but if we want to keep the doors open, then we need to reach out to the community for help! www.facebook.com/murraysfleamarket

If you can’t make it, but want to contribute, please do so via our GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/4theroof

A Request from the Beckwitch for Her School Garden Initiative

Direct from The Beckwitch Penny Foster:

I’ve initiated a school garden initiative where I’m volunteering with local schools to start school and classroom gardens. I didn’t anticipate such a huge response and I’m wondering if anyone has any of the following to share and spare:

300 Plastic or paper cups – an alternative is those little yogurt containers cleaned and washed.
9 rolls Saran wrap
500 Elastics
500 popsicle sticks
9 sealed bags of starter soil (it is sometimes called germinating mix too). Note, I’m saying sealed because I will be transporting all these items to the school myself.
My first school will reach almost 300 students, so I’ve included the quantities I will need before each item.
While I’m available to pick items up as time permits I will be upfront in stating it would be awesome if you could drop them off in one of the boxes on my porch as I’m collecting a lot of items and drop offs would allow me to dedicate more time and efforts to my garden program initiatives.
As this is a multiple item and large request I will ask you to comment below and I will try to respond to offers each evening and update my quantities required above each day (….this is my effort at being efficient… but it may not work lol).
Thank you for your consideration.
Happy Giving!