Federal and provincial orders at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 required numerous businesses to shutter their brick and mortar storefronts, and for many others to put their products and services on hiatus. Local resident Jeffrey Pereira was immediately concerned for local businesses – and he and fellow Miltonian Paula Rousselle quickly founded the Facebook Group “#miltonstrong – Support for your local businesses” on March 19.
On June 23rd organizers of the Milton Running Group Speaker Series presented a donation cheque to the Milton District Hospital Foundation for the COVID-19 response Fund. The Speaker Series, held online, throughout the COVID-19 lockdown raised over $1000!
“A speaker series for Milton runners in support of Milton District Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Up your running game by getting tips from professionals, find a local running group and run at an appropriate pace.”, says the Milton Running Speaker Series Facebook page. Milton residents Ron Gorospe, Deanna Orsi and Emil Matacz banded together during the lockdown to create the Milton Running Speaker Series as a temporary, online initiative for Milton runners to learn more and get better at running safely while raising money for the MDHF.
On June 18th the Holy Rosary Knights of Columbus presented representatives of the Townsend-Smith Hospice Foundation with a donation from the proceeds of a charity Valentine’s Dinner and Dance that was held earlier this year. Through the support of the Milton community, the Knights were able to present a cheque in the amount of $5000!
“Thank you to the businesses of Milton for supporting this event. Without your help we wouldn’t have been able to make this donation,” says Daniel Varanelli, a member of the Knights, who along with fellow Knight Michael O’Gorman were the chair organizers of Valentine’s Dinner and Dance event.
Care4Cause Foundation – a new sister organization of Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation gives back to the community
The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation’s new sister organization Care4Cause Foundation made a donation of 200 CareKit bags to the Salvation Army Khi Community Food Bank and the Halton Women’s Place. Each bag donated had approximately $60 worth of hygiene and lifestyle products, a very rare, yet needed donation.
Thousands of people watched the virtual Canada Day celebrations presented by the Halton Gujarati Seniors Samaj on Wednesday July 1, 2020. A non-profit registered in 2013, HGSS offers connection, care for one another, and a celebration of success, happiness, and life in Canada.
On June 6th two Milton teenagers helped organize a peaceful protest in support of Black Lives Matter. This was the latest in a series of rally’s that have occurred since the release of a video showing a police officer kneeling on the neck of a black man, George Floyd, who subsequently fell still and died while the officer’s knee was still on him.
Today marks the 158th anniversary of the last public hanging in Milton. It was held in what is now Victoria Park. Edward Keenan, 18 years of age at the time was hanged for the murder of his mother. But it was the opinion mentioned in Milton’s Champion newspaper, that many considered the father Jimmy Keenan guilty, and that the son refused to incriminate his father suffered death rather than reveal the dreadful secret. The Milton Canadian Champion’s opinion on the matter was that if Edward Keenan was the guilty party, he was too intoxicated to know anything about it. The local sheriff at the time questioned the fairness of the trial, but was unable to have the sentence commuted to imprisonment. Following the hanging the Sheriff resigned in disgust.
In this uncertain time, in which we are witnessing sides of humanity that both shock and disappoint us, we can look to the shining examples of generosity within our community. Laurie MacNab is one such person, whose work in Milton has designated her Volunteer of the Year in 2020. But MacNab’s affinity for charity work began many years ago.
Halton Hitz is an online radio station covering all of Halton Region. It’s known for its mix of easy-listening music and local news weather and sports. Owner Lee Lakin runs the station from his Acton-based home studio. “Nine years later, and nobody’s still not doing it. I’m blown away that nobody’s done it.” Lakin said of the station’s local nature.
The Milton Chamber of Commerce hosted some high voltage stars at their annual Sports’ Celebrity Dinner fundraiser February 4. The 2020 lineup included Team Canada alum Tessa Bonhomme, former NHL Player Eric Lindros, Raptors’ broadcaster Jack Armstrong, and Raptors’ alum point guard Alvin Williams. Proceeds went to the Scholarship program.