Little Boxes fundraiser featured at Tavistock High Noon luncheon
By Gary West
With the arrival of autumn comes the return of the popular High Noon fellowship luncheons at Grace United Church in Tavistock, where guest speakers share interesting stories and worthwhile causes with members of the community.
Organized through the Tavistock and Area Ministerial Association, the luncheons offer an opportunity for fellowship while learning about the work of individuals and organizations making a difference.
Last Thursday, Richard and Joan Hryniw of Lakeside were the featured guest speakers, sharing the story behind their Little Boxes fundraising initiative.
The retired teachers have spent many years helping those in need, including supporting the international charitable organization Sleeping Children Around the World.
More recently, the couple has been turning used greeting cards and Lang calendars into decorative little boxes and other handmade items, which they sell to raise money for cancer care.
Each year, they select a cancer-related charity to receive the proceeds from their efforts.
Over the years, donations have supported several organizations, including SickKids Hospital in Toronto, the Canadian Cancer Society in Brantford and the London Regional Cancer Centre.
Their fundraising efforts have also helped purchase a new hospital bed for Stedman Community Hospice through the St. Joseph's Lifecare Foundation.
In 2019, the Little Boxes initiative surpassed its fundraising goal of $20,000, with the money donated to McMaster Children's Hospital.
Those funds were used to purchase continuous ambulatory delivery devices, which allow chemotherapy medication to be administered to children.
Richard and Joan continue to collect used greeting cards and Lang calendars to create their handmade items and welcome donations from anyone who has materials they would like to contribute.
The couple can be reached by phone at 519-752-7958 or by email at littleboxes.plus@gmail.com.
The next High Noon luncheon will take place Thursday, Nov. 12, at noon at Grace United Church in Tavistock.
Stratford's Jean Aitcheson will be the guest speaker, sharing information about the Stratford Mission Depot and its charitable work.
Attendees are being asked to bring unused or outdated prescription medications for the Mission Depot's international medical-aid efforts.
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