b'A BIG thanks to Coldwell BankerI question, why?R.M.R. Real Estate Dear EditorDear Editor We received a letter from DocuPet Another act of kindness in our town What a wonderful start to the New Year for Bigto renew Maxs dog license with the Dear Editor Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham (BBBSND). township, with the option to bring On a Thursday morning in December, I lost my walletAs a charitable organization with no core orin the form to the township offices at and iPhone while out walking. I was about to pay forgovernment funding that provides Mentoring programs181 Perry Street, or the animal shelter a purchase at Home Hardware. After tracing my steps,to over 250 children and youth in Scugog, Brock andon Reach, or renew online.I was I walked home to see if in fact I had dropped them atUxbridge, I can tell you I feel excited and grateful whensurprised to find an additional home. we receive donations that support the continuation ofadministrative fee when finishing There were two messages, one from LeeAnne at RBCour programs. the renewal online.Why are we and one from the Scugog library, both saying that myColdwell Banker has been a supporter of BBBSNDbeing charged an administrative items had been found at Home Hardware. Terry fromfor many years and it is kindnesses like theirs that keepsfee when we are in fact decreasing Home Hardware had gone to the bank to find how tous doing what we do for the children and youth in ourthe bureaucratic work of township contact me, and the HH clerk had called the library alsowonderful community. Coldwell Bankers generousstaff?Why are we being charged an to contact me about the find! donation of $5,000 will be put to good use in our newestadministrative fee and at the same What a wonderful Christmas present from allIn-School Mentoring program called Think Feel ACT! time being inundated with upsell Port Perry persons involved. What an honest, caring,This structured 10 week program supports childrenoffers from the DocuPet for custom thoughtful town we live in. aged 9 to 12 who struggle with anxiety, face othertags, etc.?Thank you adversities, and are in need of an additional consistentI have come to expect lower Rowena Fowler and supportive Developmental Relationship. Think, Feel,costs whenever I deal online.And ACT! is proven to build social and emotional competence,especially when I am doing all the self-regulation, anxiety and stress management abilities asinputting and being bombarded with A heartfelt thank you Mentors express care, challenge growth, provide support,upsell offers!Dear Editor share power and expand possibilities. Maybe next year we will simply Once again this Christmas season, Operation ScugogAgain, thank you to Coldwell Banker for yoursign the letter, bring it in to 181 Perry was reminded of the depth of generosity and warmthgenerosity. Street, inundate staff with work and of spirit our community and surrounding area extendsSincerely, Margaret Ayres, Executive Director save the extra cost (tax). Ivo Finottieach year over the holiday season.This past December saw 73 families and 131 singles and couples celebrate a merrier and more bountiful Christmas as a result. Be sure to have this discussionA special thank you to all the Hoodie Elves onDear Editor Think twiceFacebook and beyond whose donations helped SandyIn 2019, more than 10 Canadians died every dayDear EditorOHare collect a total of 152 hoodies, 4 winter coats,from opioid overdose.Typically, these overdoses areTo those of you who continue to hand knit pieces, shirts, socks, blankets and sundrythe result of an unexpected lethal dose of fentanylutilize the abandoned gas station items. or carfentanyl (in other words, anesthetic agents)at Simcoe Street as a place to dump Hamper Day at Victory Christian Centre wentcommonly found in many types of drugs sold on thehousehold garbage, furniture, off without a hitch thanks to our many dedicated andstreet.Sometimes, overdose is the result of a cavalieraquariums, leaves, paint cans and enthusiastic volunteers.Thank you to McDonalds andattitude towards taking prescription medications foreven recently two truckloads of Hanks Pastries for their donation of coffee, muffins andrecreational purposes.Unfortunately, and too often, thegravel.donuts to jump start our morning and to the Victoryend effect is a rapid loss of respiratory drive followedThis is our home that you Christian Centre not only for opening their doors andquickly by death. The decision to experiment with streetcontinue to disrespect. This is our providing us a base of operations, but for preparing aor prescription medications has become a dangerousbackyard, a place where our kids delicious lunch for our many helpers. practice and often the last decision the victim makes.Asplay. Our drinking water comes All of the volunteers that make up our Operationa physician and a father, I would urge everyone readingfrom the ground and you are Scugog family wish to express our thanks to those whothis to discuss this issue at home with your childrenpotentially poisoning us with your adopted families as well as the groups, individuals andand your loved ones.Taking medication that was notinconsiderate actions. It costs a businesses that contributed food, gifts, gift cards, moneyprescribed for your use by your physician is too often aminimal amount of money to take and time to support our Hamper Day.mistake for which there is no second chance. your garbage to the dump on Reach Helping one person might not change the wholeStreet. The garbage you leave behind world, but it could change the world for one person.Matthew J SchurterMD, CCFP (FPA), FCFP can cause untold risks to both the Thank you all for helping make our 2019 Christmasresidents and the wild life. Campaign a resounding success! Karen Teed Please think twice before youPlease send us your letters, maximum of 250 words.back in and offload your refuse. Operation Scugog Christmas Campaign CoordinatorBe aware that we cannot publish negative letters about individuals or businesses. Submit to: focus@focusonscugog.comMr. Rodney H Burley8 FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2020'