A few days ago, the friend of Owen Sound resident and old family friend Michelle Juniper contacted me with a facebook invitation: Give Michelle a Lift this Christmas. The invitation was to assist in the goal of raising funds for a van wheelchair lift for Michelle. This fundraiser was so that Michelle could continue to make her way to church and be able to make trips outside the house. When this request was made, I jumped at the opportunity to help.

Michelle and I go back pretty far... I remember 40-ish years ago as a child, how Michelle, my sisters and I would play in the livingroom of our home. Michelle Juniper was born with Spin Bifida which never allowed her to walk. But that never slowed her down. While my mother worked out of the home (a hairstylist) Michelle and her mother was arrive and though not very mobile, Michelle scooted around the floor as we played with the toys in the livingroom. As small children, we didn't fully understand the challenges Michelle would face in life. At the time, it was as innocent as young children just enjoying life as children do.

We grew up, and like many mobile people, I moved away from Owen Sound, went to University, traveled the world and even lived abroad. With the wonderful invention of facebook, Michelle and I continued to stay in touch, messaging and reading each other's statuses.

Michelle has always been such a positive person. When I was blessed with my family and all the experiences life presented to me, she was there to share her positive words.

So when her friend Velvet Rollin did invite me to assist in this fundraiser, I had to get involved. But I want to make the most of this forum to spread the word and tap everyone's Christmas spirit to help me help Velvet and Michelle to achieve their goal.

Here are Velvet's words from the event invitation...

Dear Friends,
Some of you know Michelle Juniper, and some of you are friends with someone who knows her. Well, right now Michelle is in need and we would like to help her. Michelle has Spina Bifida and has been in a wheelchair all her life. I (Velvet Rollin) have driven Michelle to Church on Sundays for the last 9 years and through that service have come to call her my friend. Michelle is an amazing person, an optimist, and very positive. If you have already been blessed to know Michelle I know you know what I mean, and if you have not I know that if you did you could not help but love her as well.

Well, last Sunday I was driving Michelle home from Church and her van died (as in “do not resuscitate”). We knew this day was coming and attempted to get funding to make another van accessible, but that application was turned down because the van was deemed too old. The only way to get transportation for Michelle is to buy a van that has already been converted. We have found a van, but we need to fundraise so that we can buy it. Michelle is on disability so she does not have the funds to buy a van, and because her family covers much of the ongoing costs of the van, they do not have the funds to buy one either. Hence the reason we have started this Facebook page.

We have linked you here because we consider you our friends and am hoping that you are able to help us raise funds to buy a van for Michelle. Our goal is to raise $6000, of which we have already raised about $1500 – that’s ¼ of the way there.

How can you help? If 112 people each give $40, the equivalent of a tank of gas for an energy efficient car, we will meet our goal. If this is not feasible for you then by all means give what you can afford.

Christmas giving idea! Every year many people, including myself, choose a charitable cause to support as part of their Christmas gift giving. Some of these causes are global in nature, and others aim to reach “the one.” If you do something similar I hope you will consider helping Michelle this year.

If you would like to help us “Give Michelle a lift this Christmas” please email Velvet Rollin at velvetrollin@gmail.com or Alicia Esmond-Cepeda LTCFARM@EVERUS.CA To send the money please mail a cheque or money order (made out to Michelle Juniper) to:

Velvet Rollin
210 Pioneer Dr., RR3
Holland Centre, ON
N0H 1R0

Or Alicia Esmond-Cepeda
797177 East Back Line
Holland Centre- ON
N0H-1R0

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Online Auction - a call for donations

I would like to call upon all my friends in the Owen Sound area who have businesses, items and services to participate in this very special fundraiser. Of course, straight donations are always welcome, but I would like initiate an online Silent Auction where items, goods and services are made available for you to bid on; with all monies raised given to Michelle to put toward the van's wheelchair lift.

This is a call to gather any and all items you have that we could place up for auction. No item is too small or too big. As soon as the rumour came out, I've had people volunteer home baked goodies, handmade silver jewelry and photography services. Your creative imagination is the limitations on what could be of value for others to bid on.

What we need is: the offer of the goods/services, a specific description, a digital image (even a camera phone shot) or description of the service. Please describe it in a few words. We will post the information you provide on this website for everyone to review. From there you email your bid for the item you wish to purchase. Each item will have a certificate generated by us to provide the donater to approve and ensure the specifics. The highest bidder within the specified deadline will be notified and either we will dispatch someone to collect and deliver the good/service, or if able to be done via mail, we will send it out. The great thing this being an online auction is we can email certificates to the bid winner.

Added incentive

As an added incentive to motivate you small business people out there, 365owensound.com / 365ontario.info will be offering free advertising credit to all donators over $50.

• A good/service that brings in $50, awards the donater with a PREMIUM DIRECTORY listing.
• A good/service that brings in a $100 donation awards the donating business with a HOTBOX or BANNER ad for six months.
• A good/service that brings in a $250 donation or more, awards the business with a HOTBOX or BANNER ad for a full year + PREMIUM DIRECTORY listing.

In addition, 365 will be making available advertising space to bid on, with some excellent pkgs that are a steal to get your business some online presence within the 365 websites, 365owensound.com facebook page and the world of twitter. All pkgs whether earned through donation or bid and won, include the professional design of the ads, which can be retained by the bidder and used anywhere on the world wide web. Have a look at some ads we've designed for others and click here to see what a PREMIUM DIRECTORY listing looks like. 

Connect with us

Send your donation submission to publisher@365ontario.info.
Be sure to LIKE our facebook page and follow our twitter account. The 365owensound.com page within 365ontario.info is here.

Our next posting will have the first round of goods available to be bid on.