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Local paint store hosts annual toy drive in support of cancer patients, children in need

The Hellings family have been doing their annual toy drive for over 20 years

Bradford paint store Decorator’s Edge is hosting its annual toy drive, a tradition the owners have been doing for over 20 years.

Brothers Lawrence and Jeff Hellings have owned the paint store for over 30 years, located at 284 Holland Street West in Bradford.

The store is a main distributor for Benjamin Moore paint and sells wallpaper and some flooring. Lawrence’s daughter (Jade) also sells blinds inside the store under the name Bradford Blinds.

Jeff is a contracted painter and has been painting for over 45 years, while Lawrence has worked in the retail paint industry for over 30. 

Decorator’s Edge first opened in 1991 operated by Lawrence and his wife, Gail. At the time, Lawrence’s brother Jeff was part of the Bradford Rotary Club and decided to start a toy drive collection through the store, known as the ‘Bradford Rotary Toy Drive’.

When the Bradford Rotary Club disbanded in 2013, Jeff and Lawrence continued to collect toys at the store and donated them to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie and most recently, the Innisfil Food Bank who partners with C4Kids Charity.

“We usually start collecting toys around the time of the Santa Claus parade," notes Jeff. “We enjoy doing it! We take new, unwrapped toys, gift certificates or cash [donations] right until Dec. 23rd or 24th”.

The Hellings have a history of community involvement and giving back to families in need after Jeff and his wife (Sharon) lost their son Bob to cancer in October 2010 at the age of 25.

After Bob’s passing, the Hellings started a Compassionate Care Fund called ‘The B.O.B. Fund’ at RVH where people can donate to families who are going through cancer treatments.

“Bob received amazing care for nine months at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, whether it was chemo treatments or having to be admitted," shares Jeff. “So, when he passed away, we wanted to pay back for all they had done for him. We had witnessed the hardship other cancer patients faced while going through treatments, like not being able to pay bills, buy groceries, gas or parking passes for the hospital."

Jeff and Sharon host an annual golf tournament every summer where proceeds are donated to RVH to help cancer patients and their families dealing with day-to-day expenses during treatment.

“In a normal year, we would also take toys to the hospital for cancer patients to give to their families at Christmas, but this year has been difficult and we weren’t able to do the norm," states Jeff.

RVH knows Jeff and his wife well, as their daughter works in the Oncology Department as a clerk and checks-in patients coming for their radiation/chemotherapy.

Jeff also volunteers at the Community Church in Alcona, helping the Innisfil Food Bank with their gift hampers.

“There’s always a need out there!” expresses Jeff.

Decorator’s Edge continues to collect donations for their toy drive and welcomes anyone who wishes to make a donation to stop by the store anytime. People can also donate to ‘The B.O.B. Fund’ through the RVH Compassionate Care Fund online.

“Out of tragedy we made something good, [and] that’s why we do our fundraisers and toy drives,” shares Jeff. “It’s been a challenging year everywhere, but [hopefully] it gets a little bit better!”

 


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Jackie Kozak

About the Author: Jackie Kozak

Jackie Kozak is a reporter/writer whose work appears on both BradfordToday and InnisfilToday
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