Meagan’s Walk | Creating a Circle of Hope

Community Events

Community Events :

	Neighbourhood business partners, Rona Lansing, hosted a Meagan’s Walk Awareness event at the Royal York and Dundas location. Chefs/volunteers, Kim Auld, Kris Kruk and Rita Lemick kept the BBQ fired up, and fed hungry customers, with proceeds from BBQ sales most generously donated to Meagan’s Walk.

	Students and staff at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute honoured Meagan’s Walk as one of their community partners at Etobicoke Collegiate Institutes “Fame” event. For this special project, student leaders invited four different groups to share their message with the school and the larger community. Denise Bebenek, Meagan’s mom, participated in a public awareness forum at the school on behalf of Meagan’s Walk. Free the Children, AIDS, Meagan’s Walk, Environment- FAME! This awareness campaign culminated in a fundraising activity day, with proceeds benefiting the four community groups. A touching ceremony at the school, with students bearing candles in formation to spell the word “HOPE”, marked the completion of Etobicoke Collegiate’s very successful FAME campaign.

	“Freckles and Fudgeeos” Team members cleaned out the closets, emptied the garage and hosted a mammoth garage sale to raise funds in support of their team effort for Meagan’s Walk.

	“Freckles and Fudgeeos” is named in memory of Jeff Gibson. Here Team Captain, Heather Gibson, Jeff’s mom, displays a beautiful photo of Jeff, framed, side by side, with a poem Jeff wrote, titled “Victory”.

	The gang is all here for the Second Annual St. Louis Catholic School “Purple Day” in support of Meagan’s Walk. Spearheaded by Christopher Piscione, Purple Day is an activity involving the whole school community. Preference is given to purple clothing, purple leis, purple signs…all in support of a beautiful cause. EZRock 97.3 Stu Jeffries and Colleen Rusholme joined in the festivities with Meagan’s mom, Denise, and staff and students following a school assembly.

	And, yes, even the cupcakes were purple...as Stu, Colleen and Denise get ready to enjoy some sweet bake sale treats.

	Meagan’s mom, Denise, with young Tobin Haas and Cindi Harding, speaks to the radio audience at the SickKids Radiothon 2008. By sharing their own stories they create awareness and help the listening audience understand the challenges that some families face as they live with life threatening illness.

	Denise Bebenek, Meagan’s mom with young Caeden Loane, who went to great "lengths", growing his hair for a long time, so he could draw attention to a great cause. Meagan’s Walk is Caeden’s "charity of choice" and he challenged his friends to help him support paediatric brain tumour research and help children who struggle with illness. Thank you, Caeden, for your wonderful leadership and creative energy in helping to make a difference!

	Denise Bebenek, Meagan’s mom is surrounded by a caring community of friends from the Goulding Park Hockey Association. These young supporters are energetic and committed in their efforts to raise funds for Meagan’s Walk. A million thanks to these young Goulding Park members, and their families, for their generous and spirited support!

	In a special gesture of support for children who are challenged by illness, Elizabeth wanted to celebrate her birthday in a special way. She had been moved by Meagan’s story, and those of children who are touched by brain tumours, and felt determined to make a difference. So, instead of receiving birthday gifts, Elizabeth decided to ask her friends to make a contribution to Meagan’s Walk. Elizabeth has become interested in the complexities and challenges of brain tumours and finding some answers for those who challenged by such illness, and now feels that her career path will be in the field of medicine. Pictured above, left to right, are Shane, Michael, Katie, Birthday Girl, Elizabeth, Lauren and Andy, all enjoying the celebration. Happy Birthday, Elizabeth, and thank you to all for your spirited support of Meagan’s Walk!

	In anticipation of the sixth annual Meagan’s Walk on Mother’s Day, the St. Louis Catholic School community hosted a "Purple Day" on May 9th, with a raffle and bake sale as part of the day’s activities. Pictured above are Claudette Piscione, and her son, Christopher, who volunteered and helped ensure this event was successful and rewarding for all. Thank you to the students, staff and families of St. Louis for their support of Meagan’s Walk! Photo: Margaret Kalsi

	Drama students and staff at Bishop Allen Academy recently staged Agatha Christie’s popular play, "The Mousetrap", a production that was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience. As long standing supporters of Meagan’s Walk, the Bishop Allen community dedicated a portion of the box office proceeds to Meagan’s Walk. Pictured above with Meagan’s mother, Denise Bebenek, cast members enjoy a relaxing moment after their opening night show.

	In anticipation of Meagan’s Walk on Mother’s Day, four sisters, Erin, Sarah, Katherine and Regan, hosted a sale of baked goods in support of Meagan’s Walk. A neighbourhood merchant, Stacey Holden, of Bake Sale on the Kingsway, most generously assisted as a sponsor for this event. Customers included Meagan’s Walk volunteer, Sylvia Kennedy, and Denise Bebenek, who came out to support this community event.

	In early August, Martha Harvey, RN, BScN, Territory Manager with Nestle Nutrition, participated in the annual SickKids Golf Tournament at the picturesque Glen Eagle Golf Club in Caledon, Ontario. Martha, who is Meagan’s aunt, was most touched that Nestle Canada graciously sponsored a hole for this event and dedicated it "in celebration of the life of Meagan Bebenek".

	Dr. Caroline Poon Woo, with her associates and staff, presented Denise Bebenek with a cheque in support of Meagan’s Walk. To honour the holiday season, Dr. Poon Woo’s team, instead of exchanging gifts, chose to donate to Meagan’s Walk.

	Stephanie Boyd, hockey pro and former member of Team USA, presents Denise Bebenek with the proceeds of a special event in support of Meagan’s Walk and hosted by Stephanie Boyd’s Female Hockey School.

	When Starbucks opened a new store in the neighbourhood, the store staff kindly invited Meagan’s Walk to join them as their community partner at the grand opening "Family and Friends" event. The weather was chilly and the snow was flying, but the mood inside Starbucks was definitely warm! Guests enjoyed sweet treats and music and an evening of good fun. Here Melbourne Ramirez, Starbucks Manager, welcomes Denise Bebenek, Meagan’s mother, and Elizabeth Becker Lively jazz, provided by Jerry Quintyne, Chris Banks and Sylvester Goshay, kept toes tapping throughout the festivities. Thanks to all our Starbucks friends for their kind support of Meagan’s Walk.