Paying it Forward
I’ve always carried a deep, compelling desire to do more and be more—not just for myself, but for the people around me and the communities I belong to. From the time I was a teenager, giving back has been woven into who I am. Whether it was volunteering at the SPCA, Victim Services, Soup Sisters, Civil Air Search & Rescue, Rotary, or creating programs that help those in transition, service has always been my way of living with purpose. For me, giving back isn’t just about what we offer others—it’s about the ripple effect it creates, reminding us all that kindness has the power to heal, connect, and inspire lasting change.
Giving back doesn’t just benefit the people who receive—it also transforms those who give. Research shows that acts of kindness and service create a positive chemical reaction in the body, releasing endorphins and reducing stress. It boosts emotional well-being, builds stronger communities, and reminds us that we are all connected.
Every act of kindness creates a ripple effect. You never know how far the impact of one simple gesture can go.
Random acts of Kindness has never been about grand gestures—it’s about the small, intentional acts that add up to something much greater. Each time we choose to lend a hand, offer compassion, or create space for someone else to rise, we plant a seed that continues to grow long after the moment has passed. My hope is that by sharing my journey, you feel inspired to find your own way of creating ripples of kindness. Because together, those ripples can become waves of meaningful change in our communities and beyond.
When I first moved to Sudbury in 2012, I wanted to find a way to make my counselling services accessible while also giving back to the community. That’s when I created the Food for Thought initiative. Once a week, I volunteered a session of my time for people who truly wanted and needed support but couldn’t afford traditional counselling fees. Instead of payment, I asked for non-perishable food items per session. Those donations went directly to the local food bank, creating a pay-it-forward program that not only supported individuals on their personal journeys but also helped feed families in need. It was a beautiful example of how healing ourselves can ripple outward into healing our community.
Today, that same spirit of service continues in my work. I now dedicate one hour a week to volunteering my professional services for women who are survivors of abuse. Through my 8-session “Overcoming Toxic Relationships” program, I help women release limiting beliefs, heal from painful past experiences, and rebuild their self-worth. Every eight weeks, I welcome a new participant, ensuring that multiple women each year can access this support at no cost.
This program is offered in partnership with Cedar House in Sudbury, a safe haven for women in transition in 2025. By blending a professional counselling/Coaching hybrid, teaching tools with compassion and accessibility, my hope is to empower women to break free from toxic patterns, reclaim their strength, and step into a future defined by confidence, clarity, and healthy relationships.
Random Acts of Kindness – Downtown Sudbury
In 2015, I was scrolling on social media and saw a post about people hanging coats on poles for those in need and it really spoke to me. I figured, why not do this downtown in Sudbury? Within a week, I created a facebook event, shared it with my network, and was shocked at how many people came forward to help out, thus created a grassroots project called Random Acts of Kindness Downtown Sudbury. The idea was simple: Rally up a bunch of friends, create a facebook event to gather coats, scarves, hats and mitts, and hang them on poles throughout the downtown core so that anyone in need could take one—no questions asked. It was about accessibility, dignity, and compassion.
This small act of kindness grew into something much larger, inspiring others to get involved and sparking media coverage, and turned into a Rotary event that helped spread the message.
Why It Matters
Helping others isn’t just good for the people who receive—it’s good for us, too. Science shows that when we give back, our bodies release feel-good chemicals that lower stress and improve our well-being. Kindness literally changes us from the inside out.
Most people want to help quietly, without drawing attention to themselves—and that’s beautiful. But sharing stories of kindness matters too. When we talk about the good happening in our communities, we inspire others to take part, to feel that same joy, and to create their own ripple effect of compassion.
The Ripple Effect
For me, Random Acts of Kindness wasn’t just about coats. It was about reminding people that even the smallest gestures can spark change, teach us empathy, and encourage us all to keep moving forward—together.
📰 Featured in:
Spotting for CASARA – Civil Air Search & Rescue
SUDSAR – Sudbury Search and Rescue Unit
I’ve had a love of flying since 1995. In 2004, I even began working on my private pilot’s license, logging about 22 hours before life led me in other directions. But my passion for being in the sky never left—it’s where I feel free, focused, and connected to something bigger.
Volunteering with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) in Sudbury gave me the opportunity to channel that passion into service. As a trained spotter with SUDSAR, I assisted in aerial searches—scanning vast stretches of land and water to help locate missing persons or downed aircraft. I also trained as part of the ground crew, searching for emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) and supporting operations from below.
What made the experience even more meaningful was the opportunity to participate in joint trainings with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Working alongside military crews deepened my skills, expanded my perspective, and gave me a profound respect for the coordination and dedication involved in search and rescue missions.
CASARA required sharp eyes, teamwork, and endurance, but for me it was more than the missions themselves. It was about contributing to community safety, supporting families in moments of uncertainty, and honoring my lifelong pull to the skies while giving back in a meaningful way.
My Rotary Journey
When I first moved to Sudbury, I knew just one person. At the time, I was volunteering with VICARS (Victim Services), taking call-outs at 2:00–4:00 a.m. It was meaningful work, but it wasn’t easy—some call-outs lasted three or four hours, and then I still needed to show up with energy and presence for my clients in the morning.
One evening, I attended a Paul Harris Awards dinner for Toula Sakellaris, owner of Apollo Restaurant in Sudbury. That’s where I first heard Jerry and Jeoffrey Lougheed speak with such passion about Rotary. In that moment, something clicked. I knew Rotary was exactly what I had been looking for—a way to fuel my soul and my passion for giving back in a bigger way.
In 2014, I knocked on the door and became a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of co-chairing the District Conference in my very first year, becoming a 4x Paul Harris Fellow, and donating my time, energy, and resources to causes I deeply believe in.
Projects and Impact
Alongside my fellow Sunrisers, I’ve been part of countless projects that have strengthened both our community and Rotary International’s global mission, including:
Vive le Vin – our signature wine and cheese gala, raising tens of thousands for local causes.
Vive le Vin Gourmet Wine & Cheese Boxes (2021) – more than 450 boxes sold, raising $36,000 after expenses.
Fishin’ for Food / Fishing for Nutrition – creative events supporting food programs in Sudbury.
Coats & Coffee – providing warmth and dignity to those in need during cold northern winters.
30 Days of Christmas for the Mission – a holiday giving campaign supporting shelters and food security.
Each of these projects, whether raising funds or providing direct support, has been a chance to connect with people, create positive change, and contribute to a ripple effect of kindness that extends far beyond Sudbury.
Continuing Service in Collingwood
In 2025, I transferred to the Rotary Club of Collingwood South Georgian Bay, expanding my Rotary journey into my new community while still maintaining close weekly ties with the Sunrisers. Today, I am honoured to serve as co-chair of Taste of the Town, the club’s signature annual fundraiser that showcases local restaurants, wineries, and breweries while raising significant funds for community projects.
I am proud to be part of both clubs—staying connected to my Sudbury roots while building new connections in Collingwood. Rotary has been one of the greatest gifts in my life, reminding me every day that when people come together with service at the heart, incredible things happen.
