Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Red Roof’s Gifts from the Heart campaign underway

Red Roof Retreat board member Ward Simpson, Red Roof clients Orie, Chris and Katie, Doug Smith of The Wise Guys, board member Richard Wall, Dakohta, and executive director Steffanie Bjorgan gather for a cheque presentation from Smith and The Wise Guy
Local Staff
Red Roof Retreat board member Ward Simpson, Red Roof clients Orie, Chris and Katie, Doug Smith of The Wise Guys, board member Richard Wall, Dakohta, and executive director Steffanie Bjorgan gather for a cheque presentation from Smith and The Wise Guys, who offered to pay for paving of the Conc. 6 Ranch. which makes the property more accessible for clients and families, keeps down dirt, and makes it easier to keep it clean of ice and snow. And the kids have fun on it, using remote control cars and other fun toys on the paved surface. (Photo submitted)

Give a gift that feels good this holiday season, by joining Red Roof Retreat in celebrating their ninth annual Gifts from the Heart Holiday Campaign.

This year’s campaign goal will allow Red Roof to provide another year of respite and recreational programs for children and young adults with special needs in the Niagara Region. 

Red Roof Retreat’s Gifts from the Heart campaign evolved out of the Arthur Dalfen Gift Matching Challenge in 2011.

At that time, the goal was to turn $10,000 into $20,000, however the campaign was so successful, bringing in $60,000, they decided to keep it going.

The following year it was relaunched as the Gifts from the Heart Campaign and continued with the same goal of $60,000. 

This year’s campaign will continue through to the first week of January. Past generous supporters have made a difference to the 150 children and adults by keeping programs affordable to families, sustaining current programs and addressing wait lists, teaching more children and adults by developing new programs to meet their needs, helping families stay strong by supporting their needs, and giving special needs children and adults a place they can call a home away from home. 

Donating is easy, says Red Roof’s special events coordinator Claire Ellsworth. Visit their website at www.redroofretreat.com/giftsfromtheheart/ to make an online donation, or call the office at 289-868-9800.

“Every donation large or small helps Red Roof to continue to improve our programs and serve more families,” she says.

“Throughout Niagara there are more than 3,500 families with special needs.”