OH Canada! My Care it Forward Family Challenge!

With Canada Day only a few days away, I thought I’d issue a “Care it Forward” challenge! I want each and every one of you to use the upcoming long weekend as an opportunity to do something caring as a family.

To give you some ideas, let me tell you about the two activities my family has planned for Canada Day weekend:

First, we’re planting a tree to replace one of the many trees in our region uprooted by the powerful winds and thunderstorms that swept through our area earlier in June.

Second, my family and I are going to pick up the litter in our neighbourhood park. This is an activity I do on a weekly basis with my 4 year old – part of my effort to ensure he grows up knowing the importance of pitching in and doing one’s part.

Remember, spend some quality time with your family this Canada Day weekend performing an act of caring. Then email me at mlagrotta@uwaykw.org to share your experience. If you can, send me a photo too.

By caring for our community, you’re also caring for this great country of ours. It’s where we live, work and play, and we need to take care of it.

I look forward to sharing my acts of caring next week!

Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy one of the fantastic fireworks displays this weekend, eh!

Meg

PS - If you're looking for some great reading material while you relax, check out the new edition of REACH. It's hot off the press!

2011 Edition of Reach Arrives

It's here!

  
The 2011 edition of REACH, our annual report to the community, is now available. There are a lot of Community Heroes inside!

Be sure to check out page 2 to learn more about our "Care it Forward" initiative. I'd love to have you get involved with this awesome project showcasing community spirit.

You can read REACH online or contact the United Way office to request a print copy.

Meg

Superheroes really do exist!

Like most children, I look at my dad and see a superhero. He really can do anything - still the strongest man I know. In the spirit of Father’s Day, I want to share why this day is so important to me.
 
Father’s Day is a special day for the Lagrotta girls. (Yes my dad was blessed with five fabulous girls, including my mom.)
 
My dad had the fight of his life from 1996 – 1998 when a very rare and aggressive type of lymphoma (neither Hodgkins nor non-Hodgkin’s) became his kryptonite. At the time, there was no known treatment and a very low survival rate.

I still remember him coming to my dance competition, very sick, to see me perform the solo I had dedicated to him and his cancer journey. The song was Leann Rimes’ “How do I live?” It’s the same song my father and I danced to on my wedding day a few years ago. With his indomitable spirit and incredible outlook on life, my father defied all odds and won his battle. He beat his kryptonite and lives life in remission.
  
My dad is one of those people who everybody knows and loves. He’s always helping neighbours and caring for others - especially his girls. He is happiest at the cottage with all of us, playing with his grandkids.
  
He is a walking miracle…and my real life super hero.
  
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
  
Meg