Darlene Morrison Website

Category: Volunteer

  • Meet Tai Young

    Tai Young has never allowed being in a wheelchair slow him down. He is an avid singer and dancer, competes in musical theatre, is an ambassador for Holland Bloorview Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital among other organizations, and attends Unionville High School for the drama program.

    https://www.hollandbloorview.ca

    Tai Young is a dramatic arts student at Unionville High School

    Tai has been a co-host for WE DAY for the past three years and was recently awarded the 2019 Roger Abbott & Don Ferguson ES Award for Achievement in the Performing Arts by Easter Seals of Ontario.

    Photo Credit: https://www.zimbio.com/photos/Tai+Young/WE+Day+Toronto+Show/x1wGK7QGmqf
    Photo Credit: https://twitter.com/wemovement/status/1055130930225053696

    Easter Seals Ontario Awards Announcement

    http://www.easterseals.org/wp-content/uploads/20756/2019-Easter-Seals-Ontario-Annual-Report.pdf

    Tai is a competitive musical theatre performer who trains and works with Arts Spotlight Theatre Company. “I do not have a mentor except for Kathy at Spotlight. She helped me become a better performer and has given me lots of tips and helpful advice to help me get better”, says Tai.

    You can check out Arts Spotlight at: https://www.facebook.com/ARTSSPOTLIGHT

    Tai has wanted to be an actor as long as he can remember. He loves the theatre but has also enjoyed being in a few television commercials. His favourite theatre performer is Ben Platt. “He is a really amazing performer and he was in one of my favourite shows. (Dear Evan Hansen). I hope one day to be able to sing as well as him. “

    For Tai trying to navigate the world of acting, inaccessibility when he has gone for auditions has always been a challenge. Roles are less available for him as he is in a wheelchair and he hasn’t found that many agencies will consider him for roles. Tai worked on the Dear Everybody campaign with Holland Bloorview to encourage casting agencies, writers and directors to include disability in their work.

    “Actors with disabilities do not always have to play “sick” people or “injured ” people. We are just the same as everyone else just living our lives. “, said Tai Young.

    Tai’s most rewarding experience was having the opportunity to play “Chip” in Unionville’s Theatre performance of Beauty and the Beast.

    Fun Fact: Tai was the kid on the PC Charity Truck, he was approximately eight years old.

    Tai was represented by Minor Details for many years but has now aged out of the division. He is available and looking for an agent willing to take him on when projects resume.

    Tai will be attending grade 11 in the fall and continue his studies at Unionville High School in the Arts Unionville program for Drama. Tai has been with Arts Spotlight for 4 years as a competitive musical theatre performer.

    FOLLOW TAI ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

    https://www.instagram.com/therealtaiyoung/

    Check out a cute commercial from 2016 that Tai was in!

    A Day in the Life of Tai!
    Holland Bloorview “A Day in the life of Tai”

    Tai with Dance Vocab

    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkwKrbXETNupgYkewJkcUVVj7Ukt0A?e=Ucxeza

  • Glenn Marais Band Making A Difference In The Community

    Newmarket local musician Glenn Marais and The Glenn Marais Band released their own retake on the popular song “What The World Needs Now” on Youtube on May 28, 2020.

    The video release was part of a fundraising campaign to raise money for the Newmarket Food Pantry and Blue Door Shelter.

    Donations can still be made at the Go Fund Me Page below:

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/glenn-marais-and-the-mojo-train-community-outreach?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3SppQ3r7VCK8gvGcjt6xmyNzUHe4BDhexvrQXYAz6XTxaGVx9cJEUV0bs

    Follow The Glenn Marais Band on social media:
    https://www.facebook.com/TheGlennMaraisBand

  • Making A Difference~ Meet Sonja Lindegger

    Before the Covid-19 Pandemic began, Sonja Lindegger was assisting clients with their food needs at the Newmarket Food Pantry.  She is a Shopping Volunteer. She takes the client’s through the Food Pantry with a cart and re-useable bags so that they can choose the food that they would like to have.   Sonja has been volunteering at the Newmarket Food Pantry since June of 2019. Her role has always been face-to-face with those people she served; however now, she is unable to see the clients in person.  

    “It was always face to face and I really enjoyed interacting with and getting to know so many clients”, says Sonja. “I often receive hugs. Some clients get choked up when they thank me at the end of their visit. So many of our clients are truly struggling and it really puts things into perspective for me. Some have physical and/or mental health issues, some have suffered trauma, others have lost work and/or loved ones, many are unemployed and struggle week to week just to survive. What we can offer them is a smile and a cart full of groceries and although it isn’t much, if it can help them get through another week or two, then we have done our job.”

    Her role has changed. Due to the pandemic, Sonja now works packing boxes of food to have ready for the volunteers to deliver food to homes.  Depending on the size of the family she is packing for will determine the amount of food and dry goods that she packs.  Once the boxes are ready to be loaded, another volunteer will add produce, dairy and meat, just before the driver arrives for pick-up. 

    “My work now is obviously much different and although I do not have the personal interaction with the clients, I feel my job is just as important especially given the current situation.” 

    “I volunteer because I want to be able to give something back to my community.  There are so many individuals and families in this community that are really struggling, and I feel fortunate to be able to do my small part.”

    Sonja would normally volunteer one or two mornings a week for a few hours at a time however due to increased demand and shortage of available volunteers, she has been working five days a week. 

    Since the pandemic, Sonja appreciates spending time with her family and feels so blessed that her and her family are all healthy.  Many of the older volunteers are unable to volunteer currently and she is fortunate enough to be able to help.  Her and her family have lived in Newmarket for sixteen years. 

    Demand has gone up considerably for those needing help with food, especially now that many have lost their jobs and uncertainly lies as to how long the pandemic will last. 

    The Newmarket Food Pantry is always accepting donations if you are able to help. Due to Covid-19, monetary donations are preferred.  Donations can be made through Canada Helps at https://newmarketfoodpantry.ca/donate/

    Sonja Lindegger is a Newmarket resident making a difference year-round and one of the many selfless volunteers working to assist in the pandemic.  

    Sonja Lindegger volunteering at the Newmarket Food Pantry/Photo Supplied