Special to Ontario Construction News
Despite the year that was, the construction industry once again found the holiday spirit, giving back to their local communities. From toy drives and food baskets to fundraising and gift boxes, construction trades people ended 2021 by spreading joy around the province.
Here is a sampling of all that cheer:
Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC): Holiday Shoebox drive in support of the Holiday Shoebox Project for Women
Women helping women was the theme for this year’s holiday contribution by the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC).
“It is our first year running this one,” says Leah Traviss, senior project manager with MARANT Construction Limited, and director, community outreach with the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC).
“We thought just because CAWIC women giving to women.”
CAWIC reached out to their own members and a variety of construction partners, asking them to decorate and fill a standard-sized shoe box with necessities such as gift cards, full-sized soaps/shampoos, toiletries, cosmetics, socks and winter accessories.
“We were able to collect 84 shoeboxes, “says Traviss.
The boxes were donated to The Shoebox Project for Women who distribute them to local shelters and community support agencies in need.
“It feels good,” says Traviss. “It’s really nice to bring them together. To put them all together it really makes an impact.”
The team started collecting in the beginning of November through the first week of December.
“That’s just one month of donations, so that’s really great” says Traviss.
“We asked them to put their company logos on the boxes,” says Traviss.” It was just a really great initiative.”
Through the Shoebox Project for Women, these gifts will be delivered to local shelters and community support agencies to help put a smile on the face of women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness this holiday season.
“We thought this would be kind of nice this time of year,” she says. “Shelters sometimes get overlooked,” she says, “especially with covid right now.”
CAWIC is a not-for-profit organization that was created to enhance the success of women in the Canadian construction industry. They advocate for the promotion and advancement of women leaders in construction and are always looking for new members.
“One hundred percent yeah,” says Traviss,” we are always looking for new members. There will definitely be new things in the new year.”
Gillam champions both a food drive and a toy drive this holiday season
Throughout the year, Gillam Group specializes in medium-sized projects in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors. During the season of giving, Gillam specializes in spreading cheer.
Tackling not one, but two charity drives, Gillam is proving they do believe in the spirit of giving back to their local communities.
Gillam president, Craig LeSurf, reported on Twitter volunteers have wrapped up their annual food drive for Daily Bread Food Bank.
“Our Gillam team members and project partners have been incredibly generous this year at a time when food bank visits are at an all-time high,” said LeSurf.
Collecting food was not enough for the Gillam team though. They also collected toys as part of the Toronto Firefighters Toy Drive.
Lesurf shared a snapshot of some Gillam team members smiling widely underneath their masks at all the toys they were able to collect this year in hopes of bringing an even bigger smile to the children receiving them. All contributions have been dropped off at local Fire Hall No. 224.
“Thank you for your contributions to making this season brighter for those in need!”
Stolk Construction exceeds goal for United Way
With promises of shaved heads and waxed chests when fundraising milestones were reached, the team at Stolk Construction proved how strongly they believe in the importance of giving back to their local community.
Stolk announced they exceeded their stretch goal on social media.
“We are wrapping up our annual United Way of Niagara fundraiser, and are proud to announce our team surpassed our stretch goal of $12,500! We raised a total of $15,580.08, which Stolk Construction will match!”
Stolk considers themselves a “local” company in the Niagara Region and do their best to buy local and support other local businesses.
As a team they regularly support a range of local organizations, through both their time and financial contributions including the local United Way and Port Colborne’s Annual New Year’s Eve Kids Carnival.
Carpenters Local 27 helps build Toy Mountain
Local 27 Toronto’s Carpenters Union is collecting toys for the CTV Toronto Toy Mountain., earning them a shout out from the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario.
Carpenters Union Local 93 raises funds for CHEO
In Ottawa, Carpenters Union Local 93 went virtual with their annual holiday fundraiser. They exceeded their goal and raised $1,250 for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Barrie Construction Association comes through for local food banks
Members of the Barrie Construction Association rallied to support local food banks in December.
Generous donations will help the less fortunate people in several communities to have fresh produce, dairy and meat this holiday season.
More than $21,000 was raised by:
- B & J Contracting, Brian’s Little Electric,
- Burling Ranger Company Inc, Cambium Inc,
- Canadian Tech Air Systems, Canadoor Door Systems Inc,
- Chalmers Construction Inc, Construction Safety Trainers.ca,
- Cowden Woods Design Builders Ltd, C.F. Crozier & Associates Inc, Duivenvoorden Haulage Ltd, Enslen Electric Inc,
- Garage Door Store by Car-Wal,
- Garage Supply Contracting Inc, Gerrits Engineering Limited,
- Lafarge Canada Inc, Landmark Environmental Group Ltd,
- Les Bertram & Sons (1985) Ltd, Marandola Contracting Inc,
- Pearson Engineering Ltd, Prycon Custom Building and Renovations Inc, SDS Safety Design Strategies, The Jones Consulting Group Ltd and
- Will Marshall Insurance for your donations!
“The BCA members would like to thank the staff and Volunteers that work at the Food Banks across our region for supporting those in our community who need a helping hand this holiday season,” said Alison Smith, executive director.
GFEC fills a truck for the Waterloo Region Food Bank
Ground Force Environmental Corp. (GFEC), a GFL Company, would like to thank everyone who contributed to our first annual Holiday Food Drive. While trailers were busy on worksites, staff was able to fill a truck with over 400 pounds of donations; that’s 320 meals for those in need, for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
SB Simpson collects 1,000 pounds of food
SB Simpson, with the help of many customers, collected over 1,000 pounds of food to donate to local food banks through a Holiday Food Drive.
“We were overwhelmed by the support and extend our deepest gratitude to our staff and customers who helped support our community – thank you for helping us share the gift of giving this holiday season,” company officials said in a statement.
