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 Our ANNUAL PATIENT APPRECIATION EVENT was a lot of FUN FOR EVERYONE!!!

 

 

 

                           

 

                             

     

 

 

     

        

Jaime & Alexandra Eckler's

4th Annual Lemonade Stand Supporting Homeless Youth

How it all Began

Four years ago I took my eldest daughter Jaime to see a basketball game at the ACC.
On the way back to the car she noticed a man sitting underneath the Gardiner expressway. She asked, Where is that man's family? Where does he live?  I answered, He likely doesn't have a family or a home to go to.  Her immediate reaction was to invite him home to live with us. When she was told that her mom may not appreciate an unexpected visitor, Jaime persisted and asked if we could at least buy him a house. While we did not invest in a new home, I reached into my pocket and passed an apple over to Jaime to give to him. That one gesture of
handing over an apple to a homeless man opened her heart to others. 

Shortly after this, we took Jaime and Alexandra to Amandas Lemonade Stand, a charity run by 14 year old Amanda Belzowski. Now in its 14th year the Lemonade stand has raised nearly $200,000 for Heart and Stroke. After the event, Jaime turned to her mother and said, Mom, lets do this for the homeless. And so Jaime and Alexandras Lemonade Stand was born. The first year they raised $396. The second year they raised $3500. To date they have raised over $8000.

Even today, each time we pass someone on the street in need Jaime looks around to see if there is any food to give. Often if there is no food, she insists on buying some from a nearby store to hand over.  Even Alexandra, our youngest, while we were stopped at a red light, made us get out of the car, open the trunk where she knew we had bananas and give some to a woman standing on the with a sign saying HUNGRY.

What we have learned from our daughters is that helping others comes from asking questions, from being interested in peoples lives and from taking action. They see the disparity between what they have and what others do not and they want to help. They are curious and kind and as parents it is important to us to nurture their efforts so they can go out into the world and affect others with their character in
positive and compassionate ways without compromising themselves.  It took one apple, some bananas, and a Lemonade Stand to make a change in the lives of Jaime and Alexandra and the lives of the people they touched.

We are blessed! Sharon and Mark 

KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE ON ‘PAYING IT FORWARD

You may remember our recent PAYING IT FORWARD story (below).  What began as a simple act of kindness through the Big Brothers Organization has turned into a lifelong friendship and extended family.  It was an honour to stand with my Little Brother Brett this past New Year as he married the love of his life.  And it was such a pleasure to see Brett and his family bond with my young daughters.  

I have watched Brett grow from a vulnerable, fatherless 11 year-old boy to the wonderful young man full of hopes and dreams that he is today.  As Brett embarks on his marriage I am again reminded about how precious time is and that in order to make a difference in this world we need to slow down and make time to be with our family, friends and those most in need.

 The relationship between Brett and I has expanded to include both of our families and it was so good to also see his Mother and Sister who are both in great health!  During the wedding speeches I was flattered to hear his Mom, Marcy mention my name among the three people who where pivotal to Brett in his life and in helping their family through a difficult time. It is difficult to know how many people we can positively affect with a single act of kindness in our daily lives.

 As we continue in the spirit of Paying It Forward we are pleased to be able to offer complimentary and convenient services in an effort to make our patients' lives easier!

Mark

PAYING IT FORWARD

   Most of us have seen the 2000 movie PAYING IT FORWARD with Kevin Spacey or at least have heard the saying, paying it forward.  Paying it forward means doing something good for someone else in a selfless way, and in return having something good come back to you one day. This year on December 31st  I am fortunate enough to have that something good come full circle and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you, in the spirit of the season, my personal story.

   Big Brothers is an organization that pairs up fatherless boys with adult male volunteers for guidance. In 1996 during my graduate studies in St. Louis, I was inspired to become a Big Brother to a fatherless boy. This desire came out of hearing stories as a child about the personal experience of my own father losing his father at a young age. My grandmother was left to raise 3 children and simultaneously support her family.  Perhaps it is for this very reason that I have such a soft spot for children without both parents.  

   When I met with my little brother Brett, who at the time was 11 years old and had lost his father a year earlier, I was overwhelmed with the responsibility and wondered if I was doing the right thing. His story was a sad one. He was out one afternoon watching a friendly game of racquetball between his father and his uncle when seemingly, out of nowhere, his Dad simply collapsed.  He died leaving his wife, son and 5 year old daughter behind.  Six months after Brett lost his Father, his Sister was diagnosed with leukemia and a few years after that
his Mom had a heart attack.  Thankfully, both his sister and mother are doing well today! 

   I asked myself, what could I possibly offer this devastated young boy?  In hindsight I believe I have been able to give a little something back to the world through my relationship with Brett.  I have tried to support, encourage and mentor Brett not only during our formal Big Brother period but even today.  Our relationship has been mutually beneficial and has enabled me to become a better father too. We continue to stay in touch and maintain a special relationship even though we live thousands of kilometers apart.

   I understand now more than ever that time is so precious and in order to make a difference in this world we need to slow down and make the time to be with our family, friends and those most in need. What started out as a commitment to help out at least once every week for only
one year has blossomed into a 15-year relationship.  

   This New Year Day my family will be experiencing something good coming our way when we will be with Brett on his wedding day. I am so honoured to stand up for Brett as his best man, as he did for me at my wedding. I wish you all a happy holiday season with time spent with your family, friends and loved ones.

Mark 

Many of our patients enjoyed our

COMPLIMENTARY PATIENT APPRECIATION ADULT WELLNESS TALK

We value you as a patient (or parent of a patient) and like to help you look after your overall health and well-being not just your teeth!
                                                                

• Healthier Gums
• Easier Cleanings
• Improved Chewing and Speech
• Decreased Risk of Dental Trauma & Abnormal Wear
• More Beautiful Smiles!