“The idea (to give to Moorelands at Christmas instead of giving gifts to each other) really came in memory of my mother who so loved all of her family, and who through example, taught us the value of helping others less fortunate.”
“My connection to Moorelands goes back decades, to happy early memories of my mother’s involvement in the charity’s earlier form, the Downtown Churchworkers Association. I think her interest in, and support of that group, began in the 1960s when she and my father moved from Islington into the city, and they became members of Grace Church-on-the Hill. It is quite possible, however, that she may have become involved even earlier, when she was active in our Islington church, St. Georges’-on-the-Hill.
My mother loved children, both her own and everyone else’s. She became passionately engaged with Moorelands because of its remarkable work with children and young people.
She was particularly captivated by the Wilderness Camp and the opportunities it offered to inter-city youth living in poverty.”
“Years later, my husband, George, also became interested. He was an ardent fisherman, and had loved summer camp himself as a boy. One year when a friend’s son became a counsellor at Moorelands Camp, George donated some of his fishing tackle — just in case some young person up there might like to try to catch a fish!
Early in our marriage, George and I both became annual donors, happy to support such worthy causes as the After-school programs, Baby Bundles, Christmas Sharing, as well as the Camp. Still later, George and I, with our niece Amelia and her husband Mark, agreed to give to Moorelands at Christmas instead of giving gifts to each other. This idea really came in memory of my mother who so loved all of her family, and who through example, taught us the value of helping others less fortunate.
As a widow, Moorelands remains an important charity for me. There are so many memories associated with it. I am happy to continue to support it and have recently included it in my Will,” stated Judith.
Got a Moorelands story to share? We’d love to hear it! To share your story, contact Helen – (416) 466-9987 ext. 312 or click the link below.