By: Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca
On February 19, the newly formed Levie Initiative held its formal launch party at The Lone Wolf Resto Bar, located in Burlington. Co-founder Michael Desjardins was present for the event. Julie Neal, the other founder, could not attend, as she was caring for her son Emmett, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
James Neal, Julie’s husband, was present at the event, along with their son Liam, and tearfully read a message from Julie to the crowd.
“‘I wish more than anything that I could be in the room with you tonight,’” James read on behalf of Julie. “‘Missing this launch breaks my heart, but I’m here at the hospital with my son Emmett, who’s been very suddenly and very seriously diagnosed with leukemia.’”
“‘What we believed was appendicitis just days ago has become every parent’s nightmare,’” James continued. “‘Tonight is the unveiling of the Levie Initiative to Burlington. This is the first time this community is meeting what has lived in my heart for a very long time.’”
The name of the organization is a combination of Julie’s son’s name, Liam, and Desjardins’ daughter’s name, Evie. James explained that the name represents togetherness.
A cutout of Julie Neal was set up at the Lone Wolf entrance as she was unable to attend.
Desjardins said that the organization grew out of a dissatisfaction with the business structure of Desjardins’ and Julie’s former group, Burlington Helping Burlington.
“I wanted to get back to the grassroots,” Desjardins said. “Raising money, throwing events, and doing things more on the fly. So if somebody came and said, ‘Hey, I need $5,000,’ for whatever, we could say, ‘We could get that for you.’”
“But once you become a charitable foundation, you have set charities you can raise money for, and you have to continue with those set charities for the rest of the year,” he continued. “I want to be able to do what I want when I want.”
The Levie Initiative’s first two beneficiaries are Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services and Capillary Wave Community for Men.
Michelle Bake-Murphy, communications and fundraising manager for Woodview, and Nelson Borges, founder of Capillary Wave, were present at the event. Borges also served as the master of ceremonies.
Bake-Murphy said that funds from the Levie Initiative are going to help Woodview address a “growing service gap in supporting children and youth who are waiting for service.”
“Funds raised through this incredible initiative are going to help us create a new therapeutic program for children aged six to 10,” she said. “And it’s going to help them to build confidence, learn social skills, and build strong peer relationships.”
Capillary Wave started a women’s chapter last year, which Borges said already has 150 members.
Guests could purchase $20 Mystery Bags benefitting the Levie Initiative at the entrance to The Lone Wolf. The bags contained gift cards for various local businesses.
Borges said that he would “put Burlington up against any other city in Canada for community support.” The funds that Capillary Wave receives will help support the workshops that they organize, as well as provide free therapy to those who need it.
James thanked Borges for starting Capillary Wave and said that the group has personally helped him work through some issues.
Borges said that Capillary is also looking to start a new group for 18–28-year-olds.
Julie said in her statement, “As we find ourselves living through the worst thing a family can face, I can say with certainty that we could not have chosen better recipients.”
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was also present at the event, along with five out of six ward councillors. She referenced Burlington’s motto, “Stand By,” when referring to the community’s commitment to being there for those in need.
“This isn’t just me coming out to a community event to support you, which I love to do,” Meed Ward said. “This is me feeling it too. This is me feeling it for my family, for your family, for all of us coming here today, and many people who aren’t in this room that we know are struggling.”
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan spoke about Julie and Desjardins’ history of charitable work.
“They have such a great track record of supporting the community and really delivering,” Nisan said. “Burlington is a very caring community, but it takes people stepping up to bring that care out. And that’s exactly what this crew does. So I’m excited that they’re starting something new and close to their personal passions. I expect great things from them as always.”
To learn more about the Levie Initiative, click here.
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