In the News at
Meagan’s Walk
December, 2011
Dear Friends,
In 2011 we celebrated Mother's Day by participating in the 10th Annual Meagan's Walk and "hug" around SickKids. What a
wonderful way to honour the message of hope and the spirit of Mother's Day!
As we approach a new year, and look forward to the next ten years for Meagan's Walk, I am reminded of our greatest gifts:
compassion, and gratitude. How fortunate we are to have so many compassionate volunteers, offering their time and gifts to the
children who are counting on us! This year we are grateful to have welcomed many new volunteers to Meagan’s Walk.
I am deeply touched by the heartfelt messages that come to Meagan's Walk from the children, and their families, who are living with
serious illness. We also receive many messages from the doctors and researchers who are equally grateful for your caring support
and commitment to the mission of Meagan's Walk.
With the approach of the holidays I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very safe and happy time together, and to thank you
for all you do to make this world a better place.
Denise Bebenek, Founder of Meagan’s Walk
Save the Date
Get your Meaganʼs Fairies at The Snowman Factory
The Snowman Factory is a little Shop for all Seasons and Reasons located
at the Northwest Corner of Hwy 27 and Rutherford Rd. near Kleinburg,
Ontario.
Situated in a quaint little Coachhouse, tucked in the woods, The
Snowman Factory has been creating magical decor for Fall, Halloween,
Christmas and Special Events for over 30 years.
Meagan's Fairies are available once again this year. The Snowman
Factory will donate 50% of the retail price to Meagan’s Walk.
Meaganʼs Walk Gala: March 2, 2012
Please save the date, Friday, March 2, 2012, for the upcoming Meagan’s
Walk Gala in the Fermenting Cellar at the beautifully restored Distillery
District.
Baby Come Back will provide entertainment and Crawford Jewelers will be
donating a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet for raffle.
See poster on next page, and check meaganswalk.com in the coming
weeks for more details.
Meagan’s Walk Newsletter - December 2011
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Save the Date
Meagan’s Walk Newsletter - December 2011
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Community Inspired
Letter from Cynthia Dent
to Denise
The following letter was addressed to
Denise Bebenek, founder of Meagan’s
Walk: Creating a Circle of Hope. Written
by a bereaved mother who participates in
Meagan’s Walk, this letter truly exemplifies
the spirit of those who walk for loved ones
on Mother’s Day.
My name is Cynthia Dent. My son Jeromy
passed away in 1980. He was not sick.
He woke from a nap on January 4th and
said he didn’t feel well. He passed out in
my arms. We live only four blocks from the
hospital but when we got there my
gorgeous little three-year-old was dead. I
was in a tailspin
as I am sure you
are aware of.
Life went on and
we had to live
with what had
happened. My
daughter was five
at the time. She
missed her
brother
throughout the
years but has
never really dealt
with it. We didn’t
know how to
handle Jeromy’s
death and
Jeromy & Greta
helping his sister
was something we didn’t do very well.
A few years ago my daughter asked me if I
would be interested in doing Meagan’s
Walk with her on Mother’s Day. I thought it
was a great idea for she and I to spend our
day together remembering Jeromy. We
have done it for the past six years and we
have such a wonderful time. Many people
have big groups at the Walk but we keep it
to just her and me for our special time
together. When my son passed away I
thought I was the only person in the world
that had lost a child; yet at Meagan’s Walk,
we found many families suffering the same
loss. I have met many mothers that have
the pain that I do.
I love doing Meagan’s Walk and as long as
I can move I will do Meagan’s Walk. My
daughter and I share a special bond since
beginning the Walk. This walk has brought
some peace into my heartache. I truly
Meagan’s Walk Newsletter - December 2011
thank you for starting something that has
changed my life.
Sincerely, Cynthia Dent
Fashion Show for Meaganʼs Walk
On October 19 the St. George’s Golf and
Country Club held its annual Ladies Fall
Fashion Show and Luncheon. This year
the proceeds from the Luncheon were
directed to Meagan’s Walk in support of
cancer research for children with brain
tumours. Barb Power, a volunteer with
Meagan’s Walk, was the organizer of the
show. “It was amazing working with the
club.” Power said. “Everyone from the
Head Chef to the Superintendent of the
golf club was supportive of the cause.”
Guests included members of St.
George’s as well as friends and family.
“There were 140 ladies in
attendance,” said Power “and
together we raised over ten thousand
dollars for Meagan’s Walk.”
Retailers participating in the fashion
show included Taissa, Carriage Trade,
Miik and Saxon for Men. Cattiva
donated hair and make-up services.
“The models were thrilled with their
make-up and hair style,” said Power,
“and the clothing lines were
individualized to suit the form and
style of each model. We were very
fortunate to have had the support of
these fashion retailers as well as the
overwhelming support of many local
merchants who donated items to our raffle,
silent and live auctions.”
was emceed by TV personality Alicia
Markson. Beth Colle conducted the live
auction. Also on hand were Carla Smith,
Caroline Ernest-Jones and Kelly Norris
who helped ensure the event ran smoothly.
Thanks go out to all merchants, volunteers,
and attendees at the Fall Fashion Show
and Luncheon, and especially the St.
George’s Golf and Country Club, for their
extraordinary support of Meagan’s Walk.
Kids Helping Kids – Schools Take
the Lead
Exciting news from the school front!!! More
and more schools have joined the “Circle
of Hope” at Meagan’s Walk this past year.
Schools have walked, hugged, raised
funds and celebrated hope!!
The message of “Kids Helping Kids”
continues to be so powerful that nine-yearold Michael, from a school in North York,
organized his grade 4 classmates to raise
funds for sick children. Michael and his
family attended Meagan’s Walk this year.
He was inspired by the children he saw
looking out the windows of the Hospital for
Sick Children.
Through the Meagan’s Walk Schools
Committee, many students were
introduced to Meagan’s Walk: Creating a
Circle of Hope this year. This awareness
encouraged them to raise funds through
activities such as school hugs and walks,
30 hour famine projects, social justice
awareness activities, dress down days,
bake sales, face painting and various other
activities.
L-R: Alicia Markson, Beth Colle, Denise
Bebenek, Nancy Adamo, Elizabeth
Becker and Barb Power
Meagan’s Walk volunteers donated their
time to support the cause. The luncheon
In the year ahead we look forward to
expanding our awareness program to
many more schools in the GTA; and
encouraging future generations of
leadership in our “Kids Helping Kids”
campaign.
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Tributes
Kim Stockwood and Meaganʼs Walk
Kim Stockwood had heard of Meagan’s Walk and was generally aware of the cause of
paediatric brain tumour research, but it wasn’t until she was working at EZ rock radio doing
the Morning Show with Colleen Rusholme that she became involved as a volunteer. “Colleen
asked me if I would join her in emceeing the Gala that year,” said Stockwood. “I met Denise
beforehand to go over the agenda and then dove right in. It was infectious!”
Stockwood, a Canadian pop singer and songwriter with multiple accolades and Juno
awards, has thrown her support behind Meagan’s Walk. She has emceed the Meagan’s Walk
Gala since 2008. She has also played a special and welcoming role at the Wall of Honour: a
special banner that is displayed at the beginning of Meagan’s Walk for those wishing to
commemorate or write a message to a loved one; a very stirring and special place to help. Stockwood and her husband did the Walk with their children and brought along Royal Wood
last Mother’s Day. Royal Wood and his band played at the Meagan’s Walk Gala in February at
the Old Mill. “It was an incredibly energizing feeling,” Stockwood pronounced. “It is
overwhelming what has come out of one family’s tragedy. The fact that you can find this
‘good’ in the ‘worst’ is unbelievable. I was drawn into the cause when I realized this.”
Kim Stockwood has just released a new record back to the water and is also featured in an
upcoming celebrity episode Extreme Potluck: Celebrity Sizzle to be aired on Women’s
Network, December 12 at 10 p.m. Each celeb will be vying to win a big cash prize for their
favourite charity. Kim has chosen Meagan’s Walk as her charity of choice.
Check it out!
CTV is hosting a two hour special including Meagan’s story, airing December 24, 8-10 am.
Sponsorship & Donation
Thank you for the continued support of our generous sponsors and donors. If you are interested in supporting Meagan’s Walk, please click
here or call us at 416-239-7843. Keep spreading the word! Please pass this email along to friends, family and colleagues who may be
interested in volunteering, or supporting Meagan’s Walk.
We invite you to share your stories about what Meagan’s Walk means to you.
Send us your stories, your photos and your planned fundraising activities.
To honour the holiday season
please consider making a
donation to Meagan's Walk. All donations will help raise
hope and awarness about
paediatric brain tumours and
funds for research.
3273 Bloor Street West,
Suite 201
Toronto, Ontario
M8X 1E2
416-239-7843
www.meaganswalk.com
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Newsletter volunteers:
Blair Day
Tal Riff
Christine Tomlinson Meagan’s Walk Newsletter - December 2011
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