Local resident wins prizes from Libro, charitable component included

By Ron Giofu

A contest Libro Credit Union ran in conjunction with Bright Lights Windsor featured a winner from Amherstburg.

Eleonora Vitella won $500 for herself and another $500 that will be split between two local charities. Vitella visited the light displays at Jackson Park in Windsor during the holiday season and snapped a photo at a Libro ornament with that photo subsequently being posted on social media. By doing that, Vitella was automatically entered into the contest.

Tammy Affleck, community manager at Libro Credit Union’s Amherstburg branch, said Libro ran a similar contest last year but with a different ornament.

The $500 that will go to charity will be divided with $325 going to the Happy Sole Project – Kick it Capes and $175 for Cuddles for Clefts. Vitella’s daughter Micayla was born with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate.

Vitella said she sent the photo in through Instagram and was “super excited” to find out she won, particularly for the charitable aspect of it.

“I think it’s very nice to be able to pick charities to give back to,” she said.

Vitella said her daughter has had ten surgeries since she was born. Now that Micayla will be 13 this year, their donation to Cuddles for Cleft will create 13 care packages for children who have had similar surgeries or those who are born with such conditions. The packages will contain bibs and a stuffed animal for the child and a journal for the parents.

The Happy Soul Project – Kick it Capes creates capes for children who have undergone surgery or are enduring health issues. Micayla has capes of her own because of that group, Vitella pointed out.

“We’re happy to bring awareness to local charities and give some light to them,” she said.

The $500 for herself will likely be devoted to doing something for her family, Vitella added.

Micayla added “it’s a good thing that Libro does” as they are offering ways to help charities. The charities chosen by her mother help people and she added those served “are their own heroes and they can get through it with their own families.”

Laura Spencer, who founded the Happy Soul Project – Kick it Capes in memory of her son Maisyn, said they have created 7,000 capes since the group’s inception. They ship them all over the world, she said.

“This donation will definitely help us with the cost of shipping, materials and things like that,” said Spencer. “We get nominations for capes for kids going through anything. We have a stock of capes, but we also have a cape maker that will make specialty requests.” Donations to the Happy Sole Project – Kick it Capes can be made at www.happysoulproject.com. More information on Cuddles for Clefts can be found at www.cuddlesforclefts.com.