Proud of My Community…

I have been in awe of this great community of ours. For the past several weeks, I have seen people drop what they are doing, lend a helping hand, offer up their profits, pass on their treasures, pass on a message, post a word of encouragement and help a complete stranger. Today’s Ottawa 67’s Family Fun Day for Rene Faucher was a real tribute to community – countless people came up to our table and offered up a signature and a donation to the Faucher Douglas trust fund.

Several were friends or former colleagues of Rene, but many were strangers. It felt great …I was completely touched by people’s generosity and outpouring of support. Patti and I wish to thanks the following organizations and people that contributed to its success:

• The Ottawa 67’s – Patrick Whalen, Sherly Hunt and Johanna Elgie and many others from the organization for making the event happen
• The media who help raise awareness and helped put buns in seats (Team 1200, CTV, CBC)
• Mark and Jill Emery at the Paper Sign Man for event signage
• The game volunteers: April Murphy, Tracey Everitt, Dimitri Pantazopoulos and his two daughters, Laurie Murphy-Pytura and Mike Pytura and their kids and finally, Patti Church and our kids. These people were instrumental to having additional funds being contributed to the Faucher Douglas trust fund.

Rene Faucher’s Values & Ours

Rene Faucher is a former boss of Andy’s.  Almost 3 weeks ago, Rene had a fall on the ice while playing hockey and hit the boards.  This fall resulted in Rene being paralyzed from the chest down.  Although as friends and supporters, we know this man has the will and energy to change is prognosis.  He’s very positive and already starting to feel new sensations that weren’t there a week ago.  You can read his updates on the Facebook Fan Page ‘Friends of Rene Faucher‘.

Rene is a 40-year-old father of three young children is expected to be in the hospital for at least a year through his recovery and rehabilitation. He did not have any long-term disability insurance. He had recently wound down his business where he worked with Andy and was starting to develop plans for his next venture.

Rene’s story touches Andy and I on many levels because we share many common values:  he’s an amazing dad and loving husband, entreprenuer and idea man, and an optimistic and caring soul.  He’s a good man who has been faced with a terrible situation that any of us could be placed in.  In Rene’s word to Andy at the hospital, “You don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

It is for all these reasons that we have been working with the Ottawa 67s to put on a Family Fun Game in Rene’s honour.  We hope that you will join us, our family and friends, and many of Rene’s family, friends and supporters on February 7th at 2PM at Landsdown.

I would like to send a special thanks to Patrick Whalen and Sheryl Hunt for being instantly ready to help and incredibly supportive.  The Ottawa 67s is an organization that also shares our values of community, kindship and enjoyment of life.  Hats off to you all!