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Welcome Wagon keeps on giving

August 31, 2013   ·   0 Comments

The Welcome Wagon in Alliston is giving back to the community in more ways than one. Representative Tracie Kennedy donated $500 to the Krasman Centre, a drop-in centre in Alliston for psychiatric survivors and their families and friends.

The donation was made possible when Kennedy was presented with the Irene Renaud Award of Excellence in Service from Welcome Wagon. It is one of many awards she has been honored with since she started with the program in 1996, and included a donation to her favourite local charity.

“I think people tend not to talk about depression and suicide,” Kennedy says. “But it’s a real issue.”

She believes the Krasman Centre does a great job of providing support to those who need it in Alliston, a town she says doesn’t have many places focused on suicide awareness and prevention. The drop-in nature of the centre is beneficial also, with no referral needed. Kennedy was excited to present the cheque directly to the Program Coordinator at the centre, Julie Shand.

Getting out into the community is part of what she loves about the job. That same day she also presented a plaque to Jimmo’s Tire and Autopro, thanking them on behalf of Welcome Wagon for ten years of support.

Having experienced the benefits of it herself when she moved into the Alliston area, Kennedy is dedicated to Welcome Wagon and knows how much support it can give people, making a new place feel like home.

“For people that are new, it’s a chance for them to get around and explore the community,” Kennedy says of the gift basket delivered to new residents. These baskets include discounts on items and services, as well as household goodies like pens and plungers.

Welcome Wagon benefits new businesses, new residents and new parents. To register for a visit and find out what resources are available in the area, visit www.welcomewagon.ca

By Emily Wood

(Back row): Frank Giammattolo, Dan Marchenko, Pete Giammattolo, (front row): Tracie Kennedy, Sharon Giammattolo, Michelle Lovisotto, Cathy MacDonald. The staff at Jimmo’s Tire & Autopro accept a plaque thanking them for ten years of supporting Welcome Wagon in Alliston.

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