We’re thrilled to extend our heartfelt thanks to the esteemed gentlemen from Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council 8611! On April 9th, we had the privilege of hosting them for a special occasion: a generous donation of $2,000 to the Grandview Kids Foundation. Their support is truly inspiring!
During their visit, we had the pleasure of showing them around our headquarters in Oshawa and discussing the exciting progress of Grandview Kids’ new facility in Ajax. Their interest and generosity mean the world to us. Thanks to remarkable donors like the incredible gentleman at St. Mary’s Council 8611, the Grandview Kids Foundation can support the work of Grandview Kids so that children and youth in the Durham Region can live, learn and play.
Thank you, St. Mary’s Council 8611!
You can learn more about St. Mary’s Council 8611 by visiting their website here: https://kofc8611.org/
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The Mackie Family: Friends of Grandview Kids Foundation
About Mackie Transportation
Mackie Transportation, incorporated in 1928, has been a long-lasting and cherished friend of Grandview Kids Foundation. As a family-owned business, the Mackie Family has passed down a philanthropic legacy through generations, which has resulted in the care and support of children and youth throughout the Durham Region for many years.
It all began with a humble family farm, where cattle grazed, and tomatoes flourished. However, from modest beginnings emerged a family company that has stood the test of time for over nine decades. Today, Mackie Transportation Inc. expresses their focus, “…to provide the best service to ensure that we maintain our existing customers while bringing on new client relationships.” Mackie Transportation, without a doubt, has created a long-lasting and honourable friendship with Grandview Kids Foundation.
Ross’ Impact & Legacy
Charlie Mackie founded the family business in 1928, which he then turned over to his son Merle, and his wife, Amanda, who ran the business until the 50s. It was only a couple of decades later that Ross and his sister Marilyn took over the business from Merle in the 70s. In his youth, Ross reaped the most joy from visiting his family’s tractor as a young boy. Following many life-adventures that consisted of many uncertainties and joyous moments, Ross and Marilyn’s business ventures took flight. Thus, Mackie the Mover began and transformed into what we know today as Mackie Transportation Inc. Today, Ross enjoys visiting the office. He finds joy in paying visits to the trucks, trailers and the staff. To read more about Ross and his incredible business ventures and impact on Grandview Kids Foundation throughout the years, please visit our website here, and read Ross’s story!
Family Matters
Without a doubt, family is the cornerstone of the Mackie legacy. Dean Mackie, the son of Ross Mackie, stands at the helm of Mackie Transportation alongside his wife, Cindy, and their children, Shawn and Sara. Their connection with Grandview Kids Foundation is heartfelt, as they have experienced firsthand the profound difference Grandview Kids’ programs and services can make in the lives of their family members.
Cindy Mackie recalls the time when her brother utilized Speech and Language Pathology at Grandview Kids in his youth. As Grandview Kids was established in 1953, his access to the Speech and Language program in the late 1960s would have been in its earliest stages. After 50 years of program development, research and field innovation, Shawn’s son also accessed the very same program. As a child, in the 2010s, Cindy and Dean’s grandson accessed Speech and Language Pathology at Grandview Kids. Through various appointments and many hours, Shawn’s wife, Sarah, learned from the clinicians and therapists, which enabled her to assist their second son early in his development.
The Mackie Family’s direct association with Grandview Kids as clients has contributed to their desire to support Grandview Kids Foundation in raising funds for the children and youth of the Durham Region. It is safe to say that while Grandview Kids has had an important effect on The Mackie Family, The Mackie Family has had a profound and everlasting impact on Grandview Kids.
The Mackie’s “Why”
While driving through Durham Region, there may come a day that you see a Grandview Kids Foundation transport truck, highlighting Grandview Kids Foundations’ Believe Campaign. In all its glory, Grandview Kids Foundation has the Mackie Family to thank for their generous display of support for Grandview Kids. Moreover, Grandview Kids Foundation is honoured to have the Mackie Family as a major donor and friend.
To Cindy and Dean, Grandview Kids is a special place. They reflect on the incredible children that Grandview Kids support each year, as they recognize the significant impact the specialized programs and services at Grandview Kids has on the children and youth of Durham Region. For the Mackie Family, the most heartwarming and uplifting aspect of their involvement with Grandview Kids is witnessing the children and youth receiving care, their resilience and spirit serving as constant sources of inspiration.
Among the array of third-party and signature events hosted by Grandview Kids Foundation each year, Cindy and Dean derive their greatest joy from the annual Golf Fore Grandview Kids Charity Golf Classic. For them, to see Grandview Kids’ families, hear their stories, and learn about their differences, reminds them of the need for and importance of Grandview Kids. When speaking of the golf tournament, one story of an amazing young man stuck out to Cindy Mackie the most – Sam Keane. Cindy and Dean had the opportunity to meet with Sam many years ago at the annual golf tournament, and they recall his pride in Grandview Kids. They are most ecstatic to hear about his incredible accomplishments today.
What began as a one man and his truck has blossomed into an enduring legacy cherished dearly by the Mackie Family. Their innate philanthropy and unwavering commitment to community support resonate profoundly within the halls of Grandview Kids and Grandview Kids Foundation. With deepest gratitude, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Dean, Cindy, Shawn, and Sara for their steadfast support of Grandview Kids Foundation. Additionally, we express our sincerest appreciation to Ross, the visionary behind it all, for imparting his boundless joy and compassion to the children and youth of Durham Region.
Lachlan’s Story – Grandview Kids Week Day 5
3-year-old Lachlan is a rambunctious kid! He loves to play with cars, trains and is obsessed with flags. He loves to watch Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig. He also likes to play with cause & effect toys. He lives with his mom, dad and older brother and sister. Lachlan and his family like to go for walks, drives, gardening and going to Canada’s Wonderland. Lachlan was diagnosed with Hypotonia, Global Developmental Delay, Underdeveloped Corpus Callosum and Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has accessed Grandview Kids services for Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Occupational and Recreational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Social Work. Grandview Kids plays a major role in Lachlan’s life as his diagnosis significantly impacts his family’s daily living. Through the services he received, he has learned to walk independently. Grandview Kids is helpful in relieving family stress through listening thoroughly to their concerns in order to create a beneficial care plan. Grandview Kids Foundation is dedicated to raising the funds needed to support Grandview Kids (Centre) programs and services for children and youth like Lachlan. Thanks to our compassionate donors, Grandview Kids Foundation is able to make this possible!
Family Engagement: #ThankfulThursday – Grandview Kids Week
Meet Family Engagement!
The Family Engagement Team (FET) is comprised of Grandview Kids parents and grads who use their lived experience and specialized training to support others in their journey. What started out as a small number of parents wanting to help other families who find themselves on similar journeys has snowballed into an amazing community of parents, volunteers and staff. FET offerings range from helping families with paperwork to one-to-one peer support to fun, family-centered events and activities. The power of providing caregivers with the opportunity to connect and belong is an invaluable part of what ensures that every child and youth are given the tools they need to live life at their full potential.
Andrea Belanger, Family Engagement Program Manager
I am a mom of 2, both of whom have accessed services at Grandview Kids. After my son was diagnosed with a rare syndrome at 15 months old, I felt the isolation and uncertainty of charting new waters. I was lucky enough to find a small community of families, brought together via technology from all over the world who shared my son’s diagnosis. By sharing their lived experience with my family, we flourished. That ignited a spark to create a community closer to home, where families could support one another, and valuable lived experience could be shared. That spark has now become a career devoted to embedding the family voice in every step of their journey and building communities of support both in-person and online. Our events are family-centered and inclusivity-focused. Our most popular event, Accessible Halloween, was developed as the brainchild of a Grandview sibling who saw an opportunity to make something more inclusive and remove barriers. There are countless aspects of Family Engagement (FE) that I have had the pleasure of witnessing come to fruition, but the absolute best part about FE at Grandview Kids have been the people I have met! From all the families coming to events and workshops over the past 10 years, to the staff who include us as part of the health care team and last, but certainly not least, my FET co-workers. They take teamwork to a whole new level.
Natasha Mills, Program Coordinator
My name is Natasha Mills, I am the Program Coordinator for the Family Engagement Team at Grandview Kids. I’m a mom of 3 wonderful kids; 2 of which are now adults and my youngest will be 7 this month. My youngest was diagnosed as Autistic just before his second birthday. Like any parent after their child is diagnosed, I wanted to learn as much as I could to support my child. This eventually led me on my own journey to discovering I was also Autistic! I received my diagnosis almost exactly 4 years after my son did. Getting any diagnosis is hard, but learning something new about yourself or child is always a good thing. It doesn’t change who they are, it gives insight, tools and it allows for opportunities to educate yourself to know and support your child even more. I’ve been a member of the Family Engagement Team since March 2020. My favourite aspect of being part of the FET is the community that comes with it. All the wonderful families we meet along the way. Coffee chats, park play dates, the Online Parent Support page or even a welcome call to a family have allowed me to meet the most incredible people. I love supporting families all throughout their journeys but it’s the support I get in return that is truly why I love this team!
Clare Alexander-Arias, Peer Navigator – OAP
I have been involved with Grandview since 2016 with my youngest daughter. She has accessed Physiotherapy, Speech Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Recreation Therapy and attended Campbell Children’s School for JK and SK. In April 2021 I saw the Family Engagement job posting and knew that I wanted to help other parents too. I have 2 amazing Neurodivergent daughters, one of which is a non-speaking AAC user at age 7. Not many people understand what it is like to have a child who communicates differently so I really enjoy helping other people see that communication comes in many ways. I love connecting with other parents on the phone, at my weekly zoom chat and in person at park play dates and other events. Helping parents of newly diagnosed Autistic children is also something I love about my job. It is an overwhelming time filled with sharing what your child can’t do but I love to flip the conversation and focus on their child’s amazing strengths.
Fadia Omer, Peer Navigator – Complex Care
I’m Fadia Omer, a Peer Navigator at the Complex Care Clinic, Oshawa site. My primary role is to facilitate connections among families, organizing coffee chats and hosting events. I hold a critical position in enabling effective communication between families and the healthcare team, especially when dealing with linguistic, cultural and religious diversity. Additionally, I arrange events tailored to their specific needs, creating a supportive atmosphere. My aim is to ensure families have the necessary guidance and resources, helping them navigate their child’s intricate care journey. Drawing from my personal experience raising an almost adult son with physical disabilities, I offer profound empathy and understanding, enriching our conversations and providing invaluable support to these families. Our inaugural in-person family day event in July was incredibly rewarding, witnessing families form new connections and bonds.
Jackie Nimesz, Peer Navigator
My name is Jacki Nemisz and I am a Peer Navigator on the FET. My role is to support our family leader programs and share with families the significance of self-care and finding strength. I am a mom of 4 kids ranging from 6 to 15 years of age, with my second son being born with a rare seizure disorder. We have been a Grandview Kid’s family for 10 years and it is so important to me to help others on their journey; making them feel less alone. Through workshops I enjoy creating connections and community for our clients while sharing self-care ideas. It is truly wonderful knowing our team is making a difference.
Annette Neufeld, Adult Transition
My name is Annette Neufeld and I have a nineteen-and-a-half-year-old who has been a Grandview kid since he was a wee lad. My role at Grandview Kids is working with the Family Engagement Team (FET) as a Peer Navigator. I work mostly with families and youth who are transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. My role helps connect families through both online parent support (TAPS) and the education series running throughout the year where families will have an opportunity to interact with each other and their youth will have the opportunity to make friends. My favourite aspect of being part of the FET is having the opportunity to work with families and prepare them and their adolescents for brighter futures as they enter adulthood. Having learned from my own journey with my son and being able to share that knowledge with them brings joy. I totally love family holiday events such as Halloween at Safety Village and Christmas with Santa.
Brad Sexton, Peer Navigator – Youth
My journey with Grandview started at 6 months of age when I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. I also attended Campbell Children’s school at Grandview after one of my two major surgeries and loved it so much that I went back to do my high school co-op there. Once completed I realized this is where I wanted to pursue my career. I am now living out my dream working here at Grandview Kids. My ultimate goal is to help clients of Grandview and their families in any way possible reach their full potential and do my part in making this world a better place for all people with disabilities.
Abby Valenciano, Amabassador Advisor
After relocating to the Durham Region in 2019, our family was transferred to Grandview Kids from our previous children’s treatment centre. Two of our four sons have accessed services from Grandview Kids, and one of them also attended Campbell Children’s School. What blew me away was the Facebook Grandview OPS: Online Parent Support page, a collective community of parents and staff that was there to lend resources, experiences, advice and a listening ear. It didn’t take long until I plugged myself in because I wanted to be part of this community that held each other closely. As Ambassador Advisor, I work with clients and caregivers to help share their stories about the impact of Grandview Kids in their lives. I love knowing that these Family Ambassadors are given a chance to find their voice of advocacy and be proud of not only their child(ren)’s journey, but also their own.
Sujay Rambajue, Peer Navigator
I am currently completing my Masters in Digital Media at Toronto Metropolitan University, while I do freelance photography and videography during my free time. I attended Grandview for several services when I was younger and still have fond memories that have positively impacted my life.
Grandview Kids Foundation wishes to extend a huge thank you to the Family Engagement Team! You keep us connected, and we are so thankful for all of your incredible work. To see more #ThankfulThursday posts for Grandview Kids Week, check out our social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
#ThankfulThursday – Grandview Kids Week
During Grandview Kids Week, our hearts swell with profound gratitude as we come together to express our sincerest appreciation to those who form the very backbone of Grandview Kids Foundation’s mission. We stand here, humbled and inspired, for it is you – our cherished donors, our dedicated volunteers, our tireless staff, and our esteemed Centre counterparts – who breathe life into our collective passions and unwavering enthusiasm.
Throughout this past year, we have been blessed with countless instances of collaboration, unity, and shared purpose. From the dedicated clinicians who bring their expertise to bear, to the community members who rally alongside us, and the steadfast Grandview Kids Centre staff who bolster our endeavors, your collective efforts have crafted moments of sheer brilliance at our signature and third-party events.
In these moments, we have seen the power of community, the strength of collaboration, and the unwavering commitment of individuals who rally behind our cause. Each person who has shown interest in our mission, each one who has extended a helping hand, and every generous donor who has stood by us – you are the lifeblood of our foundation. Without your unwavering support, we would not have achieved the heights we stand at today.
Our community partners, donors, and support systems are the very essence of what makes Grandview Kids Foundation what it is today. Together, we have forged not just a fundraising program, but a sustainable, enduring community of donors. It is you who ensure that Grandview Kids Foundation can offer Grandview Kids the vital resources they need not just for today, but for the promising tomorrows that await them.
To our extraordinary donors, our invaluable community partners, our selfless volunteers, and our dedicated staff members, we extend our deepest gratitude. You are the reason we stand strong, and you are the source of our unwavering hope. As we embrace this #ThankfulThursday during Grandview Kids Week, our hearts overflow with appreciation for each one of you. Together, we are making a profound impact on the lives of Grandview Kids, and for that, we are forever thankful.