By Ontario Construction News Staff
Niagara Children’s Centre marked the end of its most successful Help Kids Shine campaign with a celebratory brunch at the Stone Mill Inn, recognizing a record-breaking community effort — including a $1,159 donation from Ontario Construction News, raised through campaign notices and CSP ads between Sept. 1, 2024 and May 31.
The annual campaign raises funds to support therapy and rehabilitation programs for children with physical, developmental and communicative delays. More than 5,900 children and youth across the Niagara region receive care through the Centre each year.
This year’s brunch brought together political dignitaries, campaign sponsors, board members, staff, volunteers and families. The event featured guest speaker Natalie McMillan, mother of 4-year-old Benett, one of the 2025 Help Kids Shine Ambassadors.
Benett, from Wainfleet, was born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect that affects spinal development and mobility. Despite a 95 per cent likelihood he would not survive to term, he defied the odds and began physiotherapy at the Centre as an infant.
Now using a walker or canes, Benett can take up to 500 independent steps. He also receives occupational therapy and has benefited from home adaptations made with the Centre’s support. He participates in inclusive social programs such as play groups, swimming and Challenger Baseball, which help build his confidence and sense of belonging.
Throughout May, Benett’s family was one of 10 Ambassador families who shared their stories across Bell Media platforms, including Newstalk 610 CKTB, 97.7 HTZ-FM and Move 105.7. Staff and volunteers also appeared on air to promote the campaign and raise awareness about the Centre’s services.
Several community-led initiatives contributed to this year’s success. At 97.7 HTZ-FM, hosts Matt Soper and Carl Brown launched the “Make Carl Drive” challenge, raising more than $14,000 in donations as listeners paid to add kilometres to Carl’s virtual drive to Nova Scotia.
Beaverloch Farms in Thorold invited visitors to take photos in its blooming canola fields in exchange for donations, raising over $26,500 with a matching contribution from the farm.
The Centre also received about $10,300 through McHappy Day on May 8, with proceeds from participating McDonald’s locations in St. Catharines and Thorold.
On May 22, the Great Wolf Lodge Charity Car Wash for Kids raised $150,000 in support of Niagara Children’s Centre and Project SHARE. The event was co-hosted by Great Wolf Lodge, the Niagara Falls Professional Firefighters Association and the Niagara Regional Police Service.
O’Hara Family Farm and O’Hara Trucking & Excavating pledged $25,000 as donor-matching sponsors. Their support helped generate more than 900 monthly and individual donations, totalling more than $83,500.
“These funds will help us meet growing demand,” said Oksana Fisher, CEO of Niagara Children’s Centre. “Monthly donations, in particular, provide stable funding that allows us to plan and deliver care well into the future.”
