Tara Jeffrey
Kristie Buckinghan-Butler is carrying on her family’s longstanding tradition of giving back to the community.
The Sarnia mom and community advocate has is launching ‘The Marnie Slack Foundation for Youth’ in memory of her grandmother, whose tireless fundraising supported local youth sports — particularly baseball, with late husband Stan Slack, who helped launch the Sarnia Braves (now Sarnia Brigade) youth baseball program.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Buckinham Butler, who fondly remembers growing up ‘running the fields and arenas with her grandparents.’
The foundation in her grandmother's name aims to help local youth -- and will host its first-ever fundraiser this Sunday Dec. 11 at the Sarnia Legion from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“The proceeds to this event will go towards sponsoring a family with a terminal cancer diagnosis, to give their children one last stress-free holiday,” she said of the family-friendly event, named, “It Takes A Village.”
“We will have Painted Cat, Brian White from Chem Valley Wrestling, Janka The FreshWater Mermaid, music, crafts and snacks.”
She also pointed to a slew of prizes donated by local businesses, sponsorship from Kel-Gor and Local 663, “and meal giveaways for families in need as well, thanks to Dickenson Farms.”
Donations are also being accepted for the foundation's Holiday Hope Drive, collecting toys, books, pyjamas and monetary donations for local families in need.
For more information on the event, including daily advent draws leading up to Dec. 24, visit It Takes a Village on Facebook.