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OGMA tees up support for disabled children

The OGMA held its fall golf tournament at The Country Club on Sept. 12 and as usual a great day was had by all. Turnout was modest at 65 golfers, but the smaller group made for a quick round. Some new faces were on hand, which is always good.

At the event, Steve Ringler presented our semi-annual bursary to Michael Snyder, an apprentice working at Gage Aluminum and Glass, for his outstanding achievements at the Finishing Trades Institute during the past term. Snyder thanked the association for the support and talked about how important the opportunity to learn the glazing trade has been for him.

OGMA president, Andrew Dolphin, presented a $3,000 charitable donation to Shannon Chaplin with the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. This facility is the leading facility in the country for helping children with disabilities.

“The OGMA supported our Family Support Fund,” Chaplin explained. “The cost of raising a child with a disability can consume a large part of the family budget. We know that it costs up to four times more to raise a child with a disability than a typically developing child. And while families struggle to make ends meet, many are forced to leave their jobs and make major lifestyle changes to care for their kids. The Family Support Fund helps parents breathe a little easier, offsetting the high costs of mobility devices, medication, transportation/parking for medical appointments, respite care, specialized recreation programs and other activities. By providing financial aid of up to $1,000 per year to Holland Bloorview families, the OGMA had helped the Family Support Fund continue to help an estimated 875 families sleep a little better at night this year.  

“The Holland Bloorview Foundation wants to give a huge ‘thank you’ to the OGMA for supporting us again this year through the fall golf tournament,” Chaplin continued. “We genuinely appreciate your commitment to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.”

Frank Fulton reminded everyone to mark their calendars for the OGMA’s inaugural Share the Vision educational collaboration with CSC Toronto taking place Nov. 14 at the Richmond Hill Country Club.

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Share the Vision
Holland Bloorview