ward 1 milton

There are many of us who for the last several months have been wishing that this year of 2020 be over as quick as possible.  It is our goal to make the end of 2020 as memorable and inspiring as possible.

It is that time of year when families begin to think about the holiday season such as finding the perfect gifts, baking cookies, and decorating the tree.

This is not the reality for many families across Halton who will struggle to provide their children with an enjoyable Christmas.

Even purchasing a single gift for their child is out of their reach.  The need will be greater this year as the pandemic has devasted even more families.

The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation (TJSF) and Halton Region Police Service (HRPS) are commencing the annual Miracle on Main Street Toy Drive.  This is the third year of the merger between the two entities to collect and distribute funds and toys to families in need throughout the Halton Region.  The merger has allowed the organizations to enhance the annual donation drives and to work collaboratively to help more families in need than ever before.

The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation is a Milton-based charity started by wrestling legends, humanitarians, and philanthropists; Tiger Jeet Singh and his son Tiger Ali Singh.

For the last eleven years, the TJSF has organized the Miracle on Main Street initiative which has raised millions through donations and sponsorships for underprivileged families, local charities and public schools, in addition to purchasing thousands of toys for the young patients at McMaster Children’s Hospital and SickKids.

Since 2015, TJSF has donated $175,000 to public schools to support initiatives such as mental health, inclusive classrooms, literacy, coding, and breakfast programs.

Since 1999 the Halton Regional Police Service have supported families through Toys for Tots campaign. All donations collected are distributed to Halton schools, community agencies and families.

To keep everyone safe, modifications have been made this year and instead of holding a live event which has become an annual tradition in Milton, TJSF will be launching an online donation campaign with every dollar raised going towards the purchase of a new toy. The online campaign will run until Christmas Eve.

The community is also encouraged to donate new unwrapped toy to be dropped off at one of our many locations around Halton.

You can get more information at www.miracleonmain.ca

I can tell you right off the bat, one of the top, if not THE top question I have been getting recently from Milton residents is “What can we do to help?”

We continue to see the numbers of COVID-19 infections increase in Milton and Halton Region. No municipality, no province and no country has been able to escape this sobering fact…the second wave has hit us and hit us hard.

“We were doing so well during the summer”…. “We worked so hard to flatten the curve.”

We did a great job. The community was united in focus and determination to stop the spread and stayed home. We ordered take out from local restaurants and we only shopped when it was necessary to do so. Many people started working from home and some have changed the way they do business. Some of our students are staying home and learning virtually and adapting to those challenges so well.

Something happened along the way. I remember hearing things like “at least we’re not like the United States.” And yet our numbers continue to climb rapidly despite the inconsistencies in the amount of people being tested. There have been perceived mixed messages about what we do…bubble or no bubble…how many people can we invite over vs. only your immediate family…coupled with our own rationalizations of the rules. “I guess its ok if we do this!”

Each and every day the numbers continue to rise. As I mentioned in a few posts back and in my most recent podcasts, we have gone from 6 active cases at the beginning of September in Milton to now close to 300 near the end of November. A large number of those cases are from our LTC facilities, but the fact remains is this virus continues to spread and we need to do something about it.

These are challenging times and I join with the voices of many municipal leaders in Halton and across the country in asking our residents to stay in their home communities during the holiday season. Shopping for Christmas presents is on the top of many peoples minds (including yours truly) but as has been said since this all began, we are in different times.

While Halton’s numbers aren’t at the level of say Toronto or Peel, they are still concerning. We hope that people from these “hotspot” areas respect our wishes in staying out of other regions to avoid further spread of COVID-19.

What is more important that that is your local community needs support. Your local companies, businesses and restaurants need you more than ever. As the holiday’s continue to get closer and closer PLEASE consider local first when you are shopping. Whether its ordering dinner, or buying Christmas presents for family and friends, do a quick search in Milton first.

These companies support our local community. If there is a fundraiser somewhere, guys like the Rad Brothers and Troy’s Diner are the first ones to offer gift cards or prizes. Companies like The Dance Shoppe offer their locations to drop off food for charities like Food For Kids and the list goes on and on. They need your help now more than ever. Please consider local first before jumping on Amazon.

How else can you help? Limit your travel…go out only when necessary. Wear a mask properly – when indoors and even outdoors when you can’t keep the 6ft distance. Be courteous to others when out shopping or walking. When you are out shopping, please be kind to the employee’s at the store. They are doing their job and if they ask you to wait a little before going into the store, or they remind you about your mask…they’re doing their job! My colleague Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville reminds us all the time…”Be Kind, Be Kind, Be Kind!”

And finally, take a moment and say a prayer or give a good thought to those suffering from COVID-19 right now. As its been reported recently, Allendale LTC home in Milton is suffering from a high number of COVID-19 cases spreading through the residents and staff. They could use some good thoughts and prayers right now for the residents, families of those living there and the staff. Everything is being done to protect them and there are probably future challenges ahead. Please think of these people and keep them in your thoughts.

I close with a message for Milton residents. We WILL get through this but its going to take some time. We have to be patient and we have to be diligent every single day. We as Miltonians have to keep focused on the goal of once again flattening the curve and doing everything we can in our power. Wash our hands…sanitize often…stay home unless necessary to go out…keep that 6 foot distance…wear a mask…and be kind!

We are #MiltonStrong … we’ve done it before and we can do it again.

Be safe!

Mike

UPDATE:

This year is going to look a little different but our mission remains the same! Stay tuned for our big announcement on Monday, November 30th at 1 pm – we’re going LIVE on social! Check out the event here.

It is that time of year when families begin to think about the holiday season such as finding the perfect gifts, baking cookies, and decorating the tree.

This is not a reality for many families across Halton who will struggle to provide their children with an enjoyable Christmas. Even purchasing a single gift for their child is out of their reach. The need will be greater this year as the pandemic has devastated even more families.The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation (TJSF) and Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) are commencing the annual Miracle on Main Street toy drive.

This is the third year of the merger between the two entities to collect and distribute funds and toys to families in need throughout the Halton Region. The merger has allowed the organizations to enhance the annual donation drives and to work collaboratively to help more families in need than ever before.

The Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation is a Milton-based charity started by wrestling legends, humanitarians, and philanthropists; Tiger Jeet Singh and his son Tiger Ali Singh. For the last eleven years, the TJSF has organized the Miracle on Main Street initiative which has raised millions through donations and sponsorships for underprivileged families, local charities and public schools, in addition to purchasing thousands of toys for the young patients at McMaster Children’s Hospital and SickKids.

Since 2015, TJSF has donated $175,000 to public schools to support initiatives such as mental health, inclusive classrooms, literacy, coding, and breakfast programs.

Since 1999 the Halton Regional Police Service have supported families through Toys for Tots campaign. All donations collected are distributed to Halton schools, community agencies and families. To keep everyone safe, modifications have been made this year and instead of holding a live event which has become an annual tradition in Milton, TJSF will be launching an online donation campaign with every dollar raised going towards the purchase of a new toy.

The online campaign will run until Christmas Eve. The community is also encouraged to donate new unwrapped toy. Please visit www.miracleonmain.ca to make an online donation and to learn more about designated locations that will be accepting toy donations in your community.

From Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Dr Hamidah Meghani

With cases across the province, and in Halton, continuing to increase, we are clearly heading in the wrong direction. The region’s weekly incidence rate has gone from three confirmed cases per 100,000 people in early September to hovering around 55 per 100,000 by early November.

If we continue along this path, we could see more than a hundred cases per day in Halton before the holidays. This week, based on the thresholds outlined in the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework, Halton entered the province’s Red Control Level. In this level, there are additional measures that we all must follow.

In addition to the measures for business and workplaces, we all have to take personal responsibility and individual actions to get the virus under control. We know that social gatherings and non-essential group activities are a significant source of COVID-19 cases. We know that the virus spreads when people are in close contact and we know that it can be passed on by people without visible symptoms.

As a community, we need to act on this knowledge. Our individual actions can either stop the spread of COVID-19, or lead to some devastating consequences. We have a choice right now Halton.

Please: – Stay home, except for essential purposes such as going to work or school, buying groceries, and attending medical appointments. And, please only send one person from your household out for errands. – Stick with our household only. Maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from those outside your household. For those who live alone, you may include essential supports or join a designated household. – Stop all in-person social gatherings such as play dates, birthday parties, and dinner and holiday parties with friends or family.

Have the courage to politely decline if you are invited to such a gathering The past months of isolation, worry, and lifestyle changes have taken a toll on all of us. I realize that these recommended measures are difficult. Know that the actions of each and every individual matter a great deal. By taking these actions now so we can prevent a worse scenario. To learn more about actions you can take, the situation in Halton, and what it means to be in the Red Control zone, visit halton.ca/COVID19. If you have specific questions about the Red Control zone, contact the provincial Stop the Spread Business Information Line (at 1-888-444-3659). Thank you for doing your part.