Wish Tree appeal launched, Smile Cookie results, shopping poll

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Today – Cloudy. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud this morning. High 8.

Tonight Partly cloudy. Becoming cloudy after midnight. Low plus 2.

Christmas Wish Tree Appeal launched

Foundation of CKHA’s Executive Director Mary Lou Crowley, left, with the Mammography nurses at CKHA **(Submitted photo)**

The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is launching its 28th Annual Christmas Wish Tree Appeal.

Foundation officials say the Christmas Wish Tree has become a cherished tradition in the community.

“We are excited to announce the launch of our 28th Annual Christmas Wish Tree Appeal,” stated Mary Lou Crowley, Executive Director, Foundation of CKHA, in a press release.

“Fifty per cent of breast cancer diagnoses can be prevented if detected early. This new mammography equipment will allow us to provide the 1 in 9 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer a life saving test.””

Foundation officials say through this appeal, residents of Chatham-Kent are able to publicly honour or remember a family member, friend, colleague and/or business by making a donation to illuminate a pink, white or silver Christmas Wish Tree light in support of their local hospitals.

This year’s event is in support of a new Mammography System for the community.

To celebrate, this year’s event features a pink Christmas theme, including pink envelopes.

Starting the week of November 14, Chatham-Kent residents will receive a Christmas Wish Tree Appeal envelopes in the mail and information is also available online at www.foundationckha.com, by clicking the Christmas Wish Tree logo on the homepage.

Donations are being accepted online, via mail, over the phone or in-person at the Foundation of CKHA’s Chatham office at 9 Ursuline Ave., or drop off at the Wallaceburg Campus.

As in previous years, all Christmas Wish Tree donations received before January 4, 2018 will feature honourees listed in The Chatham Daily News and the Wallaceburg Courier Press on a weekly basis, starting the week of November 27, 2017.

This season names will also be displayed on paper ornaments that can be viewed at both the Wallaceburg and Chatham campuses.

To date, more than $5.3 million has been raised for the CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.

The Christmas Wish Trees at CKHA’s Chatham and Sydenham Campuses will be illuminated on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

This year will feature a special ribbon tying ceremony where the public can tie a pink ribbon to the tree in honour of a loved one.

The public is invited to enjoy Christmas carols, refreshments and to view the tree lighting.

Last year’s appeal raised more than $100,000 for the $6.9 million CKHA Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.

Proceeds from this year’s Christmas Wish Tree Appeal will once again be directed to this campaign.

Smile Cookie campaign raises dough

This September, all Chatham, Dresden and Wallaceburg Tim Hortons locations participated in the national, week-long Smile Cookie program, donating all of the proceeds from every Smile Cookie sold to the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation.

From September 11th through September 17th, Chatham-Kent indulged in Tim Hortons’ $1 Smile Cookies, eating their way through $20,068, all in support of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation.

“Funds from this year’s Smile Cookie campaign are earmarked to the CTC Foundation’s Butterfly Building Campaign, supporting building a larger, more accessible, state-of-the-art Children’s Treatment Centre,” stated Mike Genge, executive director of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation, in a press release.

“The new building will include accessibility enhancements, reduced waitlists, more therapy space, family resource, education and meeting space, space for groups, specialized clinics and specialized equipment.”

Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 as a way to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital, and has grown to become a major fundraising event at Tim Hortons restaurants.

Nationally, Tim Hortons restaurant owners support 460 Canadian charities, hospitals and community programs through the campaign.

“Chatham-Kent Tim Hortons’ have been long-time, major supporters of the CTC and Foundation and we’re extremely appreciative of their continued support,” stated Donna Litwin-Makey, Executive Director of the Children’s Treatment Centre, in a press release.

Ontario College strike update

The College Employer Council has requested the Board conduct a vote on whether to accept or reject the Employer’s offer, dated November 6.

A copy of the College Employer Council’s last offer can be found, here.

They have also launched a new website with even more information: collegevote.ca

The union is recommending to all faculty to vote to reject the offer.

“On Monday, November 13, the College Employer Council made a bid to persuade college faculty to accept the contract offer they put forward on November 6. This was expected,” Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) officials stated.

“Nothing Council said was new. Your union bargaining team is unanimously recommending that all faculty members vote to reject the offer. Our reasons for saying this have not changed. The offer contains many serious concessions that will harm faculty and harm our colleges. This offer will not deliver on the progressive change our colleges need in order to treat faculty fairly and improve our ability to give our students the best possible education.”

More information from the union is available, here.

Here are the results of a recent poll question asked on the Sydenham Current:

Is the Ontario college strike impacting your household?

No 64.34% (83 votes)

Yes – My son/daughter/family member is impacted 28.68% (37 votes)

Yes – I am a college faculty member/college employee 3.88% (5 votes)

Yes – I’m a student 3.1% (4 votes)

Total Votes: 129

Wallaceburg Chamber looking for directors, holding AGM

The Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce is holding their Annual General Meeting on November 23, at 6 p.m. at the Chamber office, located at 152 Duncan Street in Wallaceburg, for anyone who would like to attend.

There are still positions available on their board of directors, who are responsible for the governance of the Chamber.

In general terms, this means the board is responsible for providing strategic planning and vision, and developing and implementing corporate policy.

These positions are for one year terms starting at the time of the election.

The election will take place at the November 2017 Annual General Meeting.

To submit your candidacy to the nominations committee, send an email outlining your skills and your interest in serving as a director, and send it as soon as possible to karend.wchamber@gmail.com

Contact the Chamber office at 519-627-1443 with any questions.

Poll: Where are you doing your Christmas shopping this year?

[polldaddy poll=”9874660″]

Downtown Wallaceburg Holiday Open House on Thursday

The Wallaceburg BIA is holding their annual Downtown Wallaceburg Holiday Open House on Thursday, November 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Downtown merchants will offer in-store promotions and draws, product samples, plus there will be horse & carriage rides, Christmas carolers, gourmet roasted nuts & hot chocolate bar, a special visit from Santa and his helpers, plus a chance to win up to $250 in BIA bucks.

Also on November 16, Santa will be stopping by the Wallaceburg Library at 7 p.m.

Take some time, make a craft, and read a story – and visit with Santa as the holidays approach.

Santa Claus Parade in Wallaceburg on Saturday

The Knights of Pythias are gearing up for the annual Santa Claus Parade in Wallaceburg, which is set to take place on Saturday, November 18, at 2 p.m.

The route for the parade will stay the same as previous years starting on Arnold Street, down Dufferin and the downtown core, up Nelson and finishing on Elgin.

More details. here: Wallaceburg Santa Claus parade on Nov. 18

The day gets started at the K of P Hall with ‘Breakfast with Santa.’

It starts at 8 a.m. and runs to 11 a.m.

Cost is $6 for adults and kids that are 12 and over, children 11 and under are free.

World news

The Deadliest Quake in Western Iran #IranQuake

Joe Biden ‘isn’t closing the door’ on the White House in 2020

Colin Kaepernick named GQ’s Citizen of the Year

People have been drinking wine for more than 8,000 years

Ancient shark with 300 teeth found by scientists

Bill Gates will invest $100 million to find a cure for Alzheimers

Elizabeth Perkins carried a sign saying ‘James Woods #MeToo’ at a rally