Chartwell Muskoka Tradition’s HOPE committee carries on Thanksgiving tradition

Main photo: Members of the HOPE committee (back row from left) Ella Masters, Charolette Collins, Beth McGirr, Chris Karn, Katrina Hall; (front row from left) Agnes Howe and Shirley Palmer. Missing from the photo are Ruby Johnson and Lillian Gallant.

Some of the ladies at Chartwell Muskoka Traditions have been hard at work again this year, raising money for local charities.

They are the members of a committee called HOPE—helping others for purposeful engagement—who meet regularly to come up with, and execute, fundraising ideas. Over the years they have held many very successful fundraisers. Doppler readers may recall the HOPE committee’s unique jewelry sale where the women had a lot of fun selling their costume jewelry.

For as long as the HOPE members can remember, they have sponsored a Thanksgiving dinner at Chrysalis, a 24-hour crisis shelter in Huntsville for abused women and their children.

This year is no different as they were able to donate $233.45 that they raised in a bottle drive and from the sale of Izzy Dolls.

Ella Masters (left) accepts a $20 donation from Charolette Collins for a custom Izzy Doll

What are Izzy Dolls? Ella Masters learned about Izzy Dolls from a news story and decided the tiny knit dolls were something she would enjoy making.

“They are sent to the war torn countries and the soldiers carry them around in their pockets,” Ella explained. “If they see a child they give them one of the dolls. I didn’t send them over there. I thought, there are lots of little kids in town here. I made over 50 and I only have 15 left. If somebody orders one and they want a special colour I try to do the colour they want. If someone wants one they make a donation to the HOPE fund.”

In September the group also held a 50/50 raffle. They raised $381.50 and that money has been donated to Spruce Glen Public School’s breakfast program.

Next up for the HOPE committee is the Give a Gift initiative in support of the Table Soup Kitchen’s Christmas outreach program.

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