Stepping Up to the Challenge

Company helps blow the roof off Salvation Army kettle drive.

by Melissa Yue Wallace

Photo: Amelia Norrie Hand-Off Mark Stewart (right), executive director at The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries, receives a cheque from Clay Gagnon (second from right) and some of the staff from Whonnock Roofing

For several years now, the team at Whonnock Roofing and Gutters in Maple Ridge, B.C., has been volunteering and raising support for The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries through the Christmas kettle campaign.

“The Salvation Army does a lot of good in this world,” says Clay Gagnon, who owns the company with his brother, Abraham. “They give people a second, third, 50th chance, and I’m a big believer in that.”

In 2020, staff signed up for approximately eight two-hour shifts on the kettles and announced where they would be on their company and personal Facebook pages, with a promise to match each donation. Their strategy paid off. As a 43-yearold company with a solid reputation, their friends and clients showed up to give.

Thanks to the company’s efforts, they raised $3,529.45 in public donations. The owners then wrote a cheque to double that amount for a total of $7,058.90.

Above and Beyond “Whonnock Roofing is a community-minded company that always

helps out and gives back, not only by volunteering on kettles but by helping to stock the shelves at other community agencies,” says Amelia Norrie, fundraising co-ordinator at Ridge Meadows Ministries. “They go above and beyond, and we were thrilled that in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Whonnock Roofing and

our entire community reached into their pockets and gave.”

The Army in Maple Ridge exceeded its 2020 fundraising goal of $90,000, raising $138,000. That money, she explains, will go toward various services such as the community meal program, emergency food hampers, school bag lunches, and their baby and toddler program.

“When companies like Whonnock Roofing step up and give their time to fill shifts at kettle season, it’s just one less worry that we have,” says Amelia. “We’re so grateful for their heart to serve.” tion,” Clay says. “The Salvation Army did a lot to help them, but they decided they didn’t want it, and at some point, you’ve got to want to do right.

“My brother and I wanted to break that cycle for our own children,” he explains. “So, we’ve gone the opposite direction, supporting The Salvation Army and doing other things to help

“The Salvation Army gives people a second, third, 50th chance, and I’m a big believer

in that.” CLAY GAGNON

“Never Too Late” Clay and Abraham’s desire to help people in need stems from personal experience.

“I lost a brother and sister to addicthat are between us and God.”

“As some people get older, they give up, accept where they’re at and lose hope that things could be different,” says Clay. “And that’s just not the case; everyone has value and worth.”

Clay shares a message with his own three children as well as anyone who is struggling: “It’s never too late to turn your situation around, for that first day to come to a better life.”

Record of Accomplishment

In 2020, The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries: • Served 80,081 meals to the community • Provided 398 emergency food hampers • Prepared and served 22,243 school bag lunches