Festive Brunch Raises $40K and Disability Awareness
Jennifer Jerrett (left), Community Engagement Specialist for Community Living Huntsville, Ashley and Randy Vowels, co-owners and chefs for Tall Trees Muskoka, and Suzanne Willett, Executive Director for Community Living Huntsville, celebrate an additional $5,000 donation from Tall Trees Muskoka to Community Living Huntsville during the 2024 Festive Brunch. (Photo by Community Living Huntsville.)
Thank goodness for community spirit – and backup generators.
“A couple of weeks ago I said in a video on social media that last-minute tickets sales were an event planner’s worst nightmare,” Jennifer Jerrett, Community Engagement Specialist for Community Living Huntsville, told the audience at our 2024 Festive Brunch presented by Tall Trees Muskoka on December 1. “But it turns out that is not my worst nightmare – my worst nightmare is a major snowstorm and power outage.”
The audience laughed.
Despite a few weather-related hurdles, the sold-out event not only raised more than $40,000 for our affordable housing initiatives for people and families who access our services, but it also raised awareness about disability experiences and inclusion in our community.
Madison Tevlin ignites audience to cheers
“I may have Down syndrome, but I always say that is the least interesting thing about me,” said Madison Tevlin, our keynote speaker, who had to attend by remote video as winter weather caused highway closures. “Disability doesn’t define us, it just gives us a different perspective on the world.”
She shared with the crowd that she and others with disabilities are often labelled and underestimated. “Imagine being told all the things I couldn’t do before anyone knew what I could do,” she said. “I love it when people underestimate me. Why? Because it is fun to prove people wrong.”
Madison also noted that no person is their disability – “no one is just one thing” – and amazing things happen when we embrace disability and inclusion.
Her speech also included a screening of a powerful disability advocacy video, Assume That I Can, featuring Tevlin, which is now internationally iconic.
The audience burst into applause and cheers.
Tears as Tall Trees shares motivation
What brought audience members to their feet, though, were Ashley and Randy Vowels, co-owners and chefs for Tall Trees Muskoka. The couple had donated their time and kitchen staff for the event and, with support from their suppliers, donated the entire gourmet brunch buffet, too. The couple then presented Jennifer Jerrett and Suzanne Willett, Executive Director for Community Living Huntsville, with an additional $5,000 donation.
Their motivation brought many in the audience to tears.
Ashley, with Randy by her side, spoke about their son, Axel, 5, who has autism, and shared their family’s gratitude for Community Living Huntsville and its work to support people, families, and community inclusion.
“Community Living is about advocacy, support, and inclusion for those in our community who are affected by a developmental disability,” said Ashely. “Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice. As a community, we have to embrace, not just tolerate, diversity.”
She then shared that, in November, as she dropped off Axel at school, she watched through tears as Axel ran into the playground, was greeted by classmates, and started playing together with the other children. “To many parents, this is such an ordinary thing to witness. You wouldn’t give it a second thought,” she said. “I sat there and cried – happy tears – because I had never seen Axel engaged and playing so freely with other children.”
There was more, too. Ashley shared Axel’s first sentence, which was also recent: 8 letters across 3 words Ashley says she will never forget. “We say, ‘I love you,’ every night while tucking him into bed and 1,487 nights later he looked up at me and said, ‘I love you,’ back, for the first time,” she said through tears. Until then, Axel had little to no spoken communication.
“Your presence and donations today are supporting programs at Community Living to make all the little things and big things possible for parents, adults, and children within this wonderful community,” said Ashley.
‘We cannot do this alone’
Audience members included Huntsville mayor Nancy Alcock, Huntsville CAO Denise Corry, Huntsville town councillor Monty Clouthier, Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison, and Community Living Ontario representative Jo-Anne Demick.
“Congratulations to everyone on hosting such a successful event despite the unexpected challenges,” said Demick, after the event. “The snowstorm may have knocked out the power and shut down the highway, but it certainly didn’t stop your determination and commitment. Your ability to adapt and keep things moving forward is truly inspiring.”
Thank you to everyone who attended, the volunteers, and our 2024-2025 Signature Event Partners, including Tall Trees Muskoka, Muskoka Party Rentals, Lovegrove Construction, Dan Willett Financial, Stephenson District Lions Club, Refined Kitchen and Bath, Property Prep Canada, and Shoppers Drug Mart Huntsville, for making this event possible.
Thank you also to the event’s live and silent auction donors, including Canadian Tire Huntsville, Christmas Tyme, Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop, Muskoka Jewellery Design, artist Sue J Tait and Two Loons Woodshop, Mulligans Muskoka and Landen Furniture and Décor, Griffin Ridge the Magic Forest, Algonquin Outfitters, Sandhill Nursery Home and Garden Centre, and The Cutter’s Edge.
Funds raised will support our not-for-profit organization’s affordable housing initiatives for people and families who access our services.
“We know access to affordable housing is at a crisis point in Huntsville and beyond. Ontario-wide data tells us that, for people with developmental disabilities, wait times are often 10-times longer than average,” Jennifer Jerrett told the audience. “We cannot do this alone. Thank you for being here, for your generosity, and for your belief in a future where everyone has a place to call home.”
Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to live, work, and play in unique and purposeful ways in North Muskoka. Learn more at clhuntsville.ca. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Linkedin.