Wanted: Niagara’s unsung heroes
Every community has them: people who donate time, energy or money to make life a little better for others.
Whether it’s a guidance counsellor ponying up post-secondary application fees for a student in need or a barber donating his time to cut hair for people down on their luck, their stories are varied and their impact immeasurable.
St. Catharines businessman Wolfgang Guembel, owner of Lock Street Brewing Co., launched the Christmas Wish program in 2017 as a way to recognize hidden heroes in the community who often don’t get — or seek — recognition he believes they deserve.
Last year, KC Media founder Kate Carnegie came on board to help raise the profile of the program which allows community members to nominate deserving “heroes” who are then showered with praise. While each is honoured individually — in the past some have gotten makeovers, been flown in from Toronto or, in the case of one young girl, excused from school — they all come together for an evening of recognition hosted by Lock Street Brewing Co.
“We’re looking for nominations,” said Carnegie. “The premise is exactly the same this year, we’re just looking for more deserving people to recognize.”
Carnegie said heroes will be treated to a day of pampering they wouldn’t otherwise receive.
All nominees should be 19 years or older. However, they don’t need to be from Niagara.
For more details about the program or to nominate someone, visit lockstreet.ca/Christmas-wish.