Christine Whelan FEO, October 12, 2023, VOL. 5 ISSUE 3

A group of friends who get together socially at The Plaice on Garrison Road decided two years ago, to do something for their community during Christmas time, and have a lot of fun while doing it. It was so fun and fulfilling, they built on it the following year.

This is their third Christmas campaign, and the creative fun continues to grow.

Gary Hass, a resident of Fort Erie and a member of this social group, shared the journey that has led to their plans for this year.

“We do what we can to support our local food bank, COPE.” The first year, they put out collection barrels and did some online fundraising.

COPE (Community Outreach Program Erie), located at 32 Dufferin Street, Fort Erie, was established in 1983 and has helped to alleviate the effects of poverty in the Greater Fort Erie area since that time.

“One of the things we’ve done with a bunch at the racetrack is, we’ve raised donations and then purchase milk from Latcham PML, a company in St. Catharines that makes long shelf life milk, which has been a very beneficial product for the food bank.

“The first year, we were told that the quantity was running into March and April. Last year we heard that there was such a demand that by the second week of February, the supply was exhausted.”

The group has also put out collection barrels for COPE. “We started last year with The Plaice and down at Sneakers Beach Bar in Crystal Beach. This year we’ve picked up a couple of barber shops for collection.

“The third thing we’ve done is bring Frosty the Christmas Horse to The Plaice, in the parking lot of the restaurant owned by Lionel and Cynthia Pereira on Garrison Road, where we give people the opportunity to have a picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus and Frosty the Christmas Horse.”

Samantha Meli

The group of friends created a story a couple of years ago about Frosty. “That’s when we had the fortunate opportunity to meet Samantha Meli,” Gary announced, “who, along with her mother, Helen, helped us and guided us because that’s her wheelhouse of expertise.”

Samantha is a young, local author who has two children’s books published, Monty Leads the Way and Horseshoe.

“The one, Monty Leads the Way, is almost a parallel to the Frosty story,” Gary calls them sister books to what he and his group started with.

“So, with Samantha and her mom, we redeveloped the story to make it a little more appropriate for the younger people.

“We took this story that Samantha wrote, in conjunction with her artistry, and came up with a storybook/colouring book. Everyone who comes to see Frosty on December 9 at The Plaice will get this colouring book.”

Hass remarked with admiration that the young author did an incredible job of designing the story, adding, it’s very heartwarming.

“We’re also reaching out to some of the local restaurants and establishments where parents take their children and they’ll receive these colouring books to give out to the kids so they get a little of what Frosty is about, how Frosty helps Fort Erie and COPE.”

After last year, Samantha offered her assistance to the group, in support of the community. “We were overwhelmed by her generosity. On top of doing all this work with us for free, she has pledged that when she sells her two books through us, the Frosty group, she’ll donate five dollars from every book sold to COPE.”

Lauren Spada

Another young, ambitious Fort Erie resident will be present for the event. “Lauren Spada will be there with her horse on December 9.” For the last two Christmases, Lauren has brought Frosty out.

“She is very successful in quarter horse racing.” Hass added, “This is another young woman who will not let anything stop her from achieving what she wants.”

Spada owns a racing stable and has been going to school to get into real estate.

Gary says both Samantha and Lauren naturally connect with their community. “It shows in everything they do.”

Reflecting on Last Year’s Event at The Plaice

Gary reported the response last year was an unexpected success. Some of the air cadets came out, school support. “The Meteors came out. Buses of hockey players were driving by and saw us. They stopped and got team pictures taken because their community does nothing like this. It was just incredible.

“Mayor Redekop and Wayne Gates stopped by. People brought pets, senior family members, and newest family members.”

The elves were there as they will be this year.

This Year at The Plaice

Gary says they have been working to get the message out earlier than last year.

The group of friends met with the members of COPE, “We told them our story, how we started. Samantha presented her story and colouring book.”

They worked together to come up with a plan to promote, not just the Frosty the Christmas Horse story but Samantha’s other two books.

“Our needs are high for COPE in Fort Erie. We want people to come by and see the horse, get a picture, and help us support COPE.”

The group is looking for help from the corporate world with the milk campaign.

“We’re hoping to expand on the number of businesses that participate. We’re trying to get more entities to compete. Businesses and schools can compete against each other.”

School competitions in fundraising for projects like these give the opportunity for kids to learn about the struggles out there as they think about venturing out into the world, says Gary. They also learn how people help each other is vitally important.

“The book will help set the stage for younger people to become aware that around Christmas people do need support.” He added that the need is there all year round but this is their time niche.

While there is a natural windbreak of trees, Gary reminds us that this is a Canadian event, a time to dress warm, adding, “There will be hot food and drinks available. Santa and Mrs. Claus will have a nice warm blanket that they cover you up with while you’re getting your picture taken.”

In keeping with the photos taken, “Friends of the owners of The Plaice are donating a very eloquent, antique Christmas sleigh for us to use. We are so happy to be able to use it.”

Monty Leads The Way

On the night of Christmas Eve, in a cozy barn filled with many farm animals, a foal named Monty awaits his mother’s arrival on an open sleigh in his stall. When Monty is suddenly alerted by a loud noise on the roof of the barn, he goes to investigate, only to discover something magical outside. Join Monty as he leads the way on a heroic journey with Santa’s little helper to save the holiday season!

Horseshoe

A young sixteen-year-old girl named Sophia Maroon gets the opportunity to ride her favourite horse, Princess. The story takes place at Port Ever Race Track where Sophia’s father Sam is a trainer and blacksmith. Richie’s Princess (based on an actual racehorse) who was injured earlier on, heals and is ready to race again, as Sophia is asked to ride Princess for her father. Horseshoe is about the importance of family, achieving your biggest goals, and always believing in yourself, as Sophia and Princess lead their way onto the track as they hope to win their first race together.

© 2023 Have Imagination! Studios   All rights reserved.

Watch for posters in different retail stores in town, created by Samantha, to let people know about the campaign and event on December 9 at The Plaice on Garrison Road.

The donation collection starts on November 12 and ends on December 20.

To order any of Samantha’s books through this campaign, contact Gary Hass by emailing him at frostythechristmashorse@hotmail.com

PHOTO

Photo of Samantha with elves Ivan and Rhonda, from Gary Hass’ FB page.