Thorold activities group doing ‘phenomenal’ work

When John Henderson and his brother were kids, they spent the majority of their summers swimming at the Thorold pool.

So, for the past several years, he’s made sure every child in Thorold has access to the newer Richmond Street pool by distributing free swimming passes through Henderson’s Pharmacy.

“It was a huge part of our lives,” he said at a recent reception at Thorold Community Activities Group headquarters.

With TCAG summer camp in its final stretch of the season, children gathered beside the pool, held up hand-made murals thanking sponsors such as Henderson, and yelled “thank you” to supporters in attendance.

Vance Badawey, MP for Niagara Centre, appeared on behalf of the federal government’s summer jobs program, which provided funding to eight student employees who were hired as camp councillors at TCAG’s summer day camp, receiving wage support toward their tuition while learning leadership skills.

“We try to encourage and empower and engage our youth,” said Badawey. “Having been to most of the camps, the quality of the individuals that are working here is spectacular.”

The MP added that Thorold has more to be proud of than the mere title of Most Patriotic City.

“Being in Thorold a lot these past months, you see more than the flags, and when you see Canada 150, this is what it’s about — the caring,” he said.

“You are going to inspire and affect a lot of people in the future,” Badawey told a group of student camp councillors. “These kids are always going to remember you. They will shape your lives and your character and your personality.”

Badawey and Thorold Mayor Ted Luciani were swarmed as they handed out Canada 150 tattoos to the children.

“TCAG has enjoyed an increase from 19 campers a day in 2014 to over 60 campers a day in 2017,” said its board president, Denise Palomba.

Niagara Region children’s services director Darlene Edgar said, “Parents are very satisfied with care at TCAG.”

The Region offers support to families who can’t afford daycare, based on family need, Edgar said. To be eligible for a subsidy, a family’s annual income must be in the $20,000 to $60,000 range.

“Because this is such a community-based organization, it would be certainly one of the natural choices for parents in Thorold.”

Musical director Tim Sinnett of the Canal Bank Shuffle said his organization has enjoyed partnering with TCAG for the past couple of years “because of their commitment to the community.”

The Canal Bank Shuffle and the City of Thorold’s Canada 150 committee collaborated with TCAG to bring a music festival and fun to the Battle of Beaverdams Park over the three-day Canada Day weekend, which resulted in a $4,527 contribution to TCAG’s family programming.

TCAG operates on a user-pay system, explained executive director Dan Pelletier.