Mario, a former infantry corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces, didn’t have an easy life. As a child, he was often given the strap at school. As a teenager, he lived on the streets of Toronto for a time, where he was violently beaten. He also has dyslexia and Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes vocal and motor ticks.

This holiday season, our hearts were particularly warmed by the staff and students of Willingdon Elementary School, who collected warm socks and also handcrafted hundreds of Christmas cards to give to the  homeless men and women we serve.

Special thanks to Monique Dykstra for initiating this heartwarming project. We also wish to thank producer Jake Kent and his talented team, for capturing this touching moment on video.

Best wishes to all for a joy-filled holiday season, and a New Year of peace and goodwill.