Our Year of Giving Back
Throughout this year, our team at Grace & Co. has embraced the ethos of community involvement through a series of engaging events and charitable initiatives. From hosting delightful pop-ups featuring local bakeries to organizing impactful charity drives, we’ve been dedicated to fostering connections and making a positive impact in the neighbourhoods we serve. Join us as we reflect on the heartwarming events and initiatives that have defined our year of community engagement.
1) Grace & Co. Hosted Events
In May of last year, we kicked off our event hosting with a delightful popup featuring KupKates, a newly opened bakery located at 955 Kingston Road. Attendees savoured
an array of delicious cupcakes, cake pops, and custom-order cakes. @kupkatesdessert
Additionally, our team welcomed The Beach House Café, an independent bakery renowned for its fresh scones, cookies, pot pies, and other treats. @beachhousecafeto
Looking ahead, we are curating a calendar of upcoming events at our storefront, and we encourage visitors to check out our website for details on future popups and happenings.
2) Thanksgiving Food Drive
In our effort to give back to the community, we organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive supporting the Daily Bread Food Bank. It was truly heartening to see the generosity of our neighbours and clients as they donated essential food items. Together, we collected a significant amount to contribute to those in need. This initiative not only provided nourishment but also strengthened the bond within our community.
3) Santa Claus Parade
Participating in our local Santa Claus Parade is a tradition we cherish, as it allows us to show our support for Centre 55 and spread joy throughout our community. It has been a much-anticipated staple in the Beaches for over a decade, and marks the exciting beginning of the holiday season.
4) Gingerbread Silent Auction
In November, we enthusiastically joined the Gingerbread Silent Auction at the Beaches United Holiday Market. Led by Sheila, our Design Manager, with the support of our dedicated team, we crafted a stunning replica of the Beaches Leuty Lifeguard Station using gingerbread, candy, and icing. The auction proceeds contributed to vital community programs supported by Beach United Church, underscoring our commitment to giving back to the community. It was a joyous opportunity to showcase our creativity while supporting a worthy cause.
5) Pictures with Santa Claus
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, we were thrilled to revive our cherished tradition of hosting pictures with Santa Claus at our office. We extended warm invitations to both clients and the public, inviting them to capture the magic of the season with Santa while enjoying holiday cookie decorating and refreshments. In the spirit of giving, we encouraged attendees to bring a new toy to support our Toy Drive for Sick Kids, and we were overwhelmed by the generosity as we donated a trunk full of toys to bring joy to children in need.
In a meaningful shift from our usual client Christmas gifts, this year we redirected our efforts toward supporting organizations combating food insecurity in the East End, including our local Centre 55.
6) Kid2Kid Bag Drive
In July, we proudly donated funds and assisted in filling backpacks with essential school supplies for Kid2Kid. This meaningful initiative took place at our local Beaches Recreation Centre, where we joined hands with the community to support students in need. For more details about where the bags are donated, you can visit www.kid2kid.ca. Explore their blog for additional insights into this impactful initiative and how it unfolded.