DEEP ROOTS GROW A LEGACY
WHY WE GIVE
Long before Johnny became an arborist, the verse we cited on our wedding invitation said: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17).
Because we believe that everything we have has been given to us by God, and because it is our desire to teach our children by our example how to be "cheerful givers", Northshore Tree Experts will donate a percentage of our sales to charitable organizations that touch our hearts. This is not just a tree service to us - this is our legacy.
If you'd like to learn more or to help support the Give Kids the World Village click the image above to visit their website.
Give Kids the World Village is by far the most amazing place on earth, hands down. Our family had the privilege of going there last March (literally the last full wish trip week completed before COVID-19 forced others to cancel) and we have enjoyed reliving our memories through family photos and movies more than any other trip. GKTWV caters to families going on their critically-ill child's "Wish Trip" through various charitable organizations, but they have certainly taken the challenge to give families the trip of a lifetime seriously. The care and thoughtfulness put into every detail makes the week away stress-free, and allows the entire family to just focus on making memories and enjoying quality time together, while also taking advantage of the amazing village experience.
March 2021
presents, holiday celebrations, rides, swimming pools and splash pads, games and activities, movies, salon appointments, and all-you-can-eat ice cream are all included in your stay, not to mention endless smiles and amazing volunteers. We cannot thank GKTWV enough! We are so happy a place like exists for families going through the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and are happy to support them this month.
April 2021
If you'd like to learn more or to help support Starlight Canada, click the image above to visit their website.
April 2021
Starlight has been an amazing blessing to our family - in fact we have the unique experience of being a multi-generational Starlight family, since Johnny was a Starlight kid himself. Just last year, they granted Tyson a "Wish of a Lifetime", and sent all of us on a family trip to Give Kids the World Village in Florida, where we had the best trip of our lives making memories. I can't describe how incredible it was, nor thank God enough for his timing (had we gone one week later, our trip would have been cancelled halfway through due to Covid-19). Despite the limitations Covid-19 has put on their ability to run events in-person, the amazing people at Starlight continue to exhaust their creative abilities to bring exciting experiences for the whole family, either virtually or by care package. We look forward to the day we can meet in person again of course, but we are still so very thankful for all the work they do to support families just like ours.
May 2021
The Blackburn family is dear to our hearts because we can so clearly remember their life-altering transition as we watched our fellow church-members leave everything they had - house, business, family, and friends - and move to Peru to follow God's will for their lives. Not only is that exciting to see, but extremely encouraging, as the work they are doing is such a wonderful thing to be a part of, even if only through prayer and finances.
Scott and Tracy live in Puerto Maldonado with project Alegre Sonido de Dios, a home for children of all ages who have suffered at the hands of their abusers, and have cared for over 25 children who have come from varying backgrounds including sexual abuse, violent abuse, abandonment, and orphans. Scott and Tracy provide a caring, loving home where the children can heal, so they may interact and maintain a close relationship with their new family, assuring a smooth re-integration into society.
If you'd like to learn more or to help support the Blackburns, click the image above to visit their website.
June 2021
This spring a tornado passed through the south end of Barrie, damaging 71 homes and displacing 100 people. How could we not choose to help those in our very own city? And while it's certainly a tragedy, what a joy to see our community helping each other as it seems many others had the same feelings as we did, and an outpouring of donations and support left our city leaders basically saying, "thanks, we're good now!" Thankfully we don't have to feel completely useless in the months to come since there's no such thing as too much prayer.
July 2021
This month we were reminded of all that God has given us - this morning around the breakfast table I talked with the kids about being grateful, and how it's hard to be unhappy when you're being thankful for what you have. But there are many in our community who, for whatever reason, have to live very different lives than we do, and the simple things we take for granted are the things they dream about. With that in mind, our monthly donation went towards these two organizations; the David Busby Centre for their work with the homeless, and the Women & Children's Shelter for their support of women in crisis.
August 2021
If you'd like to learn more or to help support Bridget's Bunnies, click HERE or the image above.
We learned of Bridget's Bunnies not too long ago when a friend of ours mentioned she would be participating in their fundraising run, and asked if she could run in honour of the two babies we lost. After doing a little research online, we're so pleased to support Bridget's Bunnies as they seek to ensure no one walks through infant loss alone by providing comfort kits. We are particularly happy to see a comfort kit specifically for fathers when often times they tend to be forgotten. And while no one wants to have to be a beneficiary of all that Bridget's Bunnies does, we are so happy they exist for those that are asked to say goodbye to their little ones long before they planned.
September - December 2021
We are so excited to be a part of Safe Families as they expand to the Barrie-Orillia area. Safe Families provides safe homes for children to stay in while their parents get the help they need before children's aid services need to intervene. Usually this role would be filled by friends, family, or neighbours, but many families today have no one to help.
As parents of an adopted child, our hearts are very soft towards these families. If someone had stepped into Tyson's birth-mom's life, or even into her mother's life, his story could be quite different. And that's why we're proud to support Safe Families as they seek to launch into our city, helping families when they need it most.
If you'd like to learn more or to help support Safe Families Canada, click HERE or the image above.
