Circle of 7 Celebrates 25 years Together by Matt St. Aman

Circle of 7 Celebrates 25 Years Together

How a local group of business leaders banded together to quietly make a difference in their community

By Matthew St. Amand Photo by Trevor Booth

The Circle of 7 is Windsor’s philanthropic dream team. For the past 25 years, this group of Windsor entrepreneurs has worked quietly in the background, funding people and causes that have nowhere else to turn. Their efforts have raised over $4 million during that time. All funds stay in the community.

“We help those people and groups who aren’t eligible for grants, and who are in danger of falling through the cracks,” says Circle of 7 president, Tony Haddad, retired Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Tecumseh. “Our mantra is: ‘To help those who cannot help themselves, either in the field of health and welfare, youth sports, or the arts.’”

“We are all Windsor-proud business people,” says Circle of 7 founding member, Rob Agnew. “All funds we raise stay in the area”.

The Circle of 7 was formed a quarter century ago following a round of golf. The original members were as diverse in their areas of expertise as the Marvel Super Friends gathered around the conference table at the Hall of Justice. They were:

John Ferguson former NHL player with the Montreal Canadiens. Ed Agnew, one-time Commissioner of Finance in City of Windsor. Robert “Knobby” Knudsen. Keith White, general manager of Freeds of Windsor. Tom Williams former NHL hockey player. Don Wiley, retired Windsor Police detective. Rob Agnew, Realtor.

“John Ferguson, Knobby Knudsen, and my uncle Ed are no longer with us,” says Rob Agnew, “having passed away a few years ago.”

Newer members include Tony Haddad, president, Gord Boggs, chartered accountant, Mickey Pierre (GM), Gus Revenberg (GMC), Deborah Severs, lawyer, Camille Shaheen, owner of Top Roofing), new secretary Julie Bortolotti, and co-Treasurer Justin Pierre.

The Circle of 7 has also worked for years with many large organizations but has also generously funded much smaller efforts.

“We’ve provided funds for Leone House for teenage girls,” Rob continues. “They need money and food, but we have also helped with renovations, such as a new roof, flooring, carpeting, and plumbing. We have many partners in the city, and quite often a vendor comes in saying they will do the work at cost. Next thing we know, they’re donating their services.”

Galas like Denim & Diamonds have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Children’s Aid Society, Alzheimer’s and CMHA mental health causes, Connections Early Years and the United Way summer lunch program.

“If we gave them $1000 or $5000, it’ll have a good impact,” Tony adds. “That could be the difference in whether a program will be run or not.”

The Circle has always been creative with fund raising initiatives. The Denim & Diamonds Gala, live and silent auctions, Dine & Drive with Chef Joe in August where donors ordered gourmet meal packages, including wine, and drove up where it was all ready and waiting.

The latest initiative is “25 For 25,” where the Circle is asking people to go to its website (circleof7.com), click the Donate button and donate $25.

“We’ve been around 25 years,” Rob says. “We’re now asking the community to help us help other people. We have zero overhead, no salaries, every dollar that’s raised goes into the community… often more. At the close of every initiative, we’re digging into our own pockets.”

To learn more about what the Circle of 7 has done in Windsor-Essex, check them out online at www.circleof7.com. And be sure to click that green Donate button! D

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The Drive magazine in partnership with Libro Credit Union is challenging Grade 12 students to write an essay focused on their day-to-day lives. Once a school is selected, the top five articles chosen by the teacher are further reviewed by our editorial team and the winner receives a $500 RESP from Libro Credit Union, along with publication of the essay in our issue. Congratulations to Mariam Raphael-Bakmaya for being our January winner! We are proud of all the participants and will continue to support our community through continued literacy and a path to higher education.

Within The Silver

Mariam Raphael-Bakmaya

"Every cloud has a silver lining" is a hard thing to say when you are standing here soaked by the rain. These clouds seem like all they ever make is wet puddles for me to stomp in, swim in, and then drown in. It seems like I am never able to catch my breath, like the storm is always chasing after me. Every corner I turn, there is a puddle; if not a puddle, a storm; if not a storm, a hurricane. The opportunities for me to drown and fail are endless. No matter where I turn, I am drenched in the water the clouds love to pour, especially on my parade.

Unlike the summer, winter intrinsically gives us the cold shoulder. No more late-night talks, burning heat and peeling shoulders. Instead, you get cold hands, the flu, runny noses and your car battery dying on you. During summer, you do not have to carry an umbrella with you. Although it may rain from time to time, it is the type of rain that rejuvenates you. The type of rain that grows your garden. The type of rain that gives you that wonderful "after it rained smell". The type of rain that makes all the birds sing right after. The type of rain that you have been praying for. The type of rain that brings rainbows. It is a shame that we only get to see the beauty of summer once a year.

However, winter isn't as bad as it seems. Of course, no one would want a runny nose, the flu, cold hands or their car battery dying on them, but what about all the benefits of the sub-zero season? Warm baths after a cold run. The rain and the cold give us the chance to replenish the wildlife and nature around us. It makes our air replenished with moisture, it constructs our streams and rivers and refills our water table when it is dry from the summer. You see, winter is not as bad as it may seem, the pain we suffer during the winter benefits our summer season.

You may be in your "winter season" frustration and hibernation as of now. Where you are halfway through the school year and losing all your hope and motivation. You may be giving up on your assignments, handing in nonsense just to avoid earning zero and relying on Grammarly and Chegg instead of that brain you once used at the beginning of the semester. You have worked too hard to lose it all right now, why be afraid of a little rain? Remember, you are not so far away from the summer version of yourself. The version of you that glows in the sun, the version of you that thrives in the heat. That version of you who grew from all the trouble and pain you encountered in the winter. You will wipe the rain off your glasses and go into the new year with gratitude and love in your heart. The silver lining may not always be so evident in different cases but in this case, the clouds let the sun shine through. Under these circumstances, you are the sunshine that will shine through these hard times and live within the silver lining. D

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