Over the past 20 years, Donna has participated in a wide variety of local charitable and fundraising efforts including:
- Durham Child Find
- Luke’s Place Support & Resource Centre
- Terry Fox Run
- Cancer Society
- Hospital for Sick Kids
- Heart & Stroke Foundation
- Red Cross
- St. Vincent de Paul Christmas family sponsorship
Donna, her husband and 4 children have started a grass roots Not-For-Profit group in Courtice called 'The Helpful Hand' which helps to support local families and those beyond our borders as well.
The Helpful Hand was established with the intention of helping to meet the needs of families within the areas of Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville by supporting families with a 'next step' approach to get back on their feet after they have experienced difficulty in their lives. Whether it is a woman and children who have escaped an abusive relationship and left their home with nothing but the clothes on their back... a family that has struggled with poverty or lost their homes due to a tragedy or a loss ... a teen parent with nowhere to turn for help... The Helpful Hand will work to match that family up with a 'starter package' that mets their family needs.
Since the inception of The Helpful Hand in 2010, Donna and her family have already extended their reach of support to families in need in other areas of Durham Region and they have gathered donated medical and dental supplies and delivered them personally to a free clinic in a poverty stricken region of Mexico.
Anyone wishing to donate household/baby items or funds to the Helpful Hand is asked to contact Donna directly.