Column: Celebrating small acts of kindness

The Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers’ Vive Le Vine event, held Nov. 15, was outstanding.

The Caruso Club did an outstanding job with the food and service, a big shout out to Manager John Cimino and his staff. A special thank you as well to event committee chair, Darlene Palmer and her team of volunteers. Finally, a special thank you to all of our community partners who took the time to attend the event and support our club — and in turn support our community.

December is a very busy month for the Sunrisers. Among the many events we take part in over the holidays, there are two of which we are extremely proud.

The first is the “Fill A Crib” campaign, developed in conjunction with Petryna Advertising’s “All I want for Christmas” campaign. The idea for Fill A Crib came out of a meeting with Sunrisers Melanie Caccioti, Louise Bergeron, Dan Draper and Beau Frescura, who wanted to create a legacy project involving children.

The group met with Andryanna Gonko and Dave Petryna of Petryna Advertising and after a brainstorming session, Fill A Crib was born. The original idea was to fill 10 cribs with items for the infant food bank.

Businesses were asked to set up a crib in their place of business and have it filled with suitable baby items. Jump Baby, a local baby store, was able to obtain cribs and mattresses at cost. For $250, a business received a fully assembled crib and promotional signage.

No one anticipated the overwhelming success of the project. Twenty-five cribs in all were used. When cribs were no longer available, some businesses emptied the one they had, so it could be refilled. Organizers estimate the success of this project to be in the area of $30,000.

Thank you to Petryna Advertising, the dedicated Sunrisers and all of the businesses and contributors who made this project such a success.

Fill A Crib continues this year, with the Sunrisers bringing in 40 cribs and 10 Pack and Plays. Beau and his dedicated team aim to make this event a continually growing success.

The second major project for December is 20 Days of Christmas, a project initiated four years ago by Sunrisers Don Garrioch, Louise Bergeron and then-president Rob Dinan.

Developed around a 12 days of Christmas theme, the club soon found 12 wasn’t enough and so the event has grown into 20 days of Christmas.

Because the Elgin Street Mission is so busy this time of year, teams of eight volunteers — made up of Sunrisers, friends and volunteers — help out at an evening meal at the Mission, spread over the 20 days preceding Christmas.

The volunteers carry out the serving, some preparation and the cleanup.

In addition, each team makes a cash donation to the Mission of $250. Not only does the initiative provide extra volunteers at a critical time of year, it also infuses much needed cash into the Mission.

The event is quarterbacked by Liz Spooner-Young, who over the years has consistently given her time and leadership ability to ensure 20 Day of Christmas is successful.

We are so grateful to the members of the Elgin Street Mission who, under the leadership of Pastor Rene Soulliere and his team, give unselfishly of their time and effort year round to supply wholesome meals to the hungry and less fortunate, many of whom make their home on the street.

Liz through her leadership helps to keep us focused on the work and needs of the Elgin Street Mission.

This is the time of year we must turn our hearts and minds to the plight of others who often find themselves alone and destitute.

Often, the smallest act of kindness can make a world of difference.

A huge thank you to all who strive, through their initiatives and good work, to make a difference.

Alex McCauley is a member of the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers.