The 2025 Niagara Children’s Centre Help Kids Shine fundraiser kicked off on Thursday, May 1, at the Stone Mill Inn in St. Catharines, with an event that was attended by Niagara Children’s Centre staff, board members, as well as elected officials and community sponsors.
This year, during the 22nd annual fundraiser, the Niagara Children’s Centre hopes to raise $350,000 in support of the work it does to provide life-changing therapies to children with developmental and communicative delays.
During the launch event, attendees heard from Jaci Bakker, the mother of Jack, an 11-year-old boy who was diagnosed with autism when he was only a year and a half old.
Jack’s mother shared that at first, the diagnosis made her feel “overwhelmed.” She even recalled an occasion in which she was told that her son might never speak.
In the years to come, however, Jack began occupational therapy, speech therapy and received support from social workers at the Niagara Children’s Centre. These techniques have aided Jack’s communication and social development immensely.
“His journey is proof that with the right support, anything is possible,” said Bakker.
Bakker, who serves as the Co-Chair of the Centre’s Family Advisory Network, celebrated the strong emphasis that the Niagara Children’s Centre places on providing holistic support to families, including through mentoring parents.
“What makes Niagara Children’s Centre unique is that everything is under one roof,” she said. “You’re not just receiving therapy, you’re part of a community that understands what you’re going through.”
The Help Kids Shine campaign, which takes place every May, seeks donations from community members as it strives to cover a wide range of services which are not currently funded by the provincial government. These include aquatic and recreational therapies, as well as specialized family supports.
In addition to the generosity of countless community members, the Niagara Children’s Centre is also grateful to receive support from its official partners, including but not limited to, local radio stations Newstalk 610 CKTB, Move 105.7, 97.7 HTZ FM, CAA Niagara, Sullivan/Mahoney Lawyers, Mountainview Building Group, as well as Dan and Sharon O’Hara, the O’Hara Family Farm, and the O’Hara Trucking and Excavating Team.
The O’Haras accessed help from the Niagara Children’s Centre many years ago for their daughter, Katie, who was born with hydrocephalus – a fluid buildup in the brain cavities.
For the third year in a row, the O’Hara Family Farm and O’Hara Truck and Excavating Team have agreed to be the donor match sponsor for donations up to $25,000 during the Help Kids Shine campaign.
The nine 2025 campaign ambassador families were also introduced during the event.
Ambassadors include the families of 2-year-old Emilia, 3-year-old Luca, 4-year-old Aubrey, 4-year-old Benett, 4-year-old Miranda, 5-year-old Anneliese, 6-year-old Thea, 7-year-old Parker, 8-year-old Gabe, 9-year-old Alex, 11-year-old Jack and 15-year-old Cameron.
Donations can be dedicated to one child or to the Niagara Children’s Centre more broadly. At this point, more than $150,000 total donations have already been achieved.
Those interested in learning more about the Help Kids Shine campaign, its ambassadors and sponsors, or to donate, can do so at the following link: Help Kids Shine.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
