Congratulations to our 2023 Peter Perry Award winner

On Nov. 10, I had the incredible honour of announcing Fred Martin as the winner of the 2023 Peter Perry Award! Since 1955, the Peter Perry Award has been an opportunity to celebrate an inspirational citizen who truly embodies the spirit of Whitby. Fred served as Whitby’s Town Crier for 35 years, bringing joy to so many people and making events in our town memorable. He also spent many years volunteering with youth sports in Whitby and went on to volunteer with Skate Ontario and Skate Canada. Please join me in congratulating Fred! 

Hot chocolate from Whitby’s One More Cocoa featured in Oprah’s Favourite Things!

I’m thrilled to share that the hot chocolate box set from Whitby business One More Cocoa is featured in Oprah’s Favourite Things for 2023. What an incredible accomplishment for owner Kenesha Williams! “Gayle loves a good hot chocolate -- so I trust her opinion that this rich, creamy trio of milk chocolate, white chocolate, and Jamaican hot chocolate isn’t to be missed,” reads the quote from Oprah in Oprah Magazine. Visit onemorecocoa.com for more information or to grab some of the hot chocolate for yourself!

Local food and toy drives need your support

Thousands of people in Whitby and across Durham Region need support this holiday season. If you’re in a position to help, here are a few options for donating food, toys or making a monetary donation.

• The Town of Whitby has again partnered with OWASCO for “Stuff a Taos.” This year’s campaign kicked off at the Whitby Lights the Night Holiday Festival on Nov. 24. The vehicle will be stationed at Iroquois Park Sports Centre from Dec. 4 to 22. Residents are encouraged to stuff the Taos with new, unwrapped toys in support of the Salvation Army. 

• The Durham Regional Police Service Food and Toy Drive is collecting new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food donations, Items can be dropped off at any DRPS Division, Regional Headquarters in Whitby, and any fire station in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax or Courtice. For more information, visit drps.ca/community-safety-and-support/community-connections/food-and-toy-drive/

• Donations can be dropped off at the Feed the Need in Durham warehouse at 371A Marwood Dr. in Oshawa from Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or order online from your favourite grocery store and have items delivered directly to the warehouse. You can also make a monetary donation online at feedtheneedindurham.ca/donate

• The Whitby Masonic Centre hosts its annual Food and Toy Drive Saturday Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot at 203 Cochrane St. Enter through the south driveway, open your trunk, and volunteers will retrieve your donations. Food donations go to Feed the Need and toy donations go to Toy Mountain in support of the Salvation Army.

Call 211 to report suspected fraud

Did you know you can call the 211 helpline to report fraud? Durham Regional Police Service and Victim Services Durham Region recently teamed up to launch a new fraud awareness effort. 30,000 magnets are being distributed to vulnerable and at-risk populations with information about 211. The free helpline connects people with a trained call-taker who can assist with determining if a call is legitimate or a fraud.

What's next for Whitby's 2024 budget process

Many residents have questions about what the Town’s 2024 property tax increase will look like. This past summer the Town of Whitby did preliminary public engagement on the 2024 budget, asking residents to share their priorities using the online Citizen Budget tool. Town staff are now analyzing that information. In January, the Town will release the proposed 2024 budget – which will be followed by public information and engagement. Council will vote on the budget in February. Did you know that in 2023, close to 3,500 people engaged in the process and shared budget priorities to help inform Council's approval of the Town's 2023 Budget? Visit connectwhitby.ca/budget for more information.

On Nov. 16 I had the privilege of bringing faith leaders from our community together for a roundtable discussion. I made it a priority to do several of these roundtables in my first year as mayor, including a recent community safety roundtable with school board and police representatives. Our faith leaders are in a unique position to provide feedback on community issues and challenges because they regularly connect with hundreds of people in their congregations. It was incredibly valuable to hear their thoughts on homelessness, food security, antisemitism and other challenges – and to discuss how we can work together on solutions. 

Lloyd’s Lunchbox is a new downtown lunch spot that opened its doors in May and recently celebrated an official grand opening. Located at 111 Dundas St. W., the cozy, family-owned sandwich shop is described on its website as “a modern take on an old-school lunch counter" with décor that’s “a quirky blend of vintage lunchboxes, exposed brick walls, and a library of classic VHS movies playing in the background.” Everything from the sandwiches, soups, sides, and preserves, to the condiments, roasts, and sausage blends are prepared in-house by their chef-butchers. The menu features a variety of deli sandwiches and hot sandwiches as well as scratch-made soups and sides. Customer favourites include sandwiches like the Greedy Pig (featuring house-made porchetta roast) and Lloyd's Roast Beef  (piled high with signature herb and garlic-crusted roast beef) along with various, indulgent grilled cheese sandwiches. There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-friendly options, breakfast sandwiches on the weekends and an ever-changing assortment of featured sandwiches as well.  For updates and features, follow Lloyd’s Lunchbox on Instagram at @lloydslunchboxwhitby

We’re proud of these Whitby Community Builders

This is our monthly shout-out to residents and groups that make Whitby proud. If you know a person or group that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• Huge shout out to Whitby resident Cohen, age 11, who is running a hot chocolate stand every Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 17 at 31 Erickson Dr. in Whitby to raise funds for SickKids Foundation! This is the second year for “Coco’s Cocoa For Kids.” Last year, Cohen started with a goal of raising $350 and ended up raising $6,100! This year, his goal is $7,500. Let’s make it happen! Click here to check out the Facebook page.  

• Congratulations to Lakeridge Health for recently being recognized with three awards for its organ and tissue donation efforts from the Trillium Gift of Life Network. Did you know that this past year, Lakeridge Health supported five organ donors, which led to 22 organ transplants, saving 18 lives?  We are so proud to have Lakeridge Health in our community!

• Happy first anniversary to Melly’s Market+ Café! Since opening last fall, Melly’s has had a profound impact on our community. This is a place where people of all abilities can realize their dream of working and being part of life. Visit https://www.mellysworkplace.ca/ to learn more. 

• The 2023 Whitby Santa Claus Parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. along Brock Street in Downtown Whitby. This amazing annual event has been taking place for more than 50 years! The Parade was organized by JCI Durham for the first 50 years of its history and the Optimist Club of Brooklin took over in 2022. Visit whitbysantaclausparade.ca for more information including the route. Don’t forget to share your parade photos on social media with the hashtags #wscp #2023wsco and #whitbysantaclausparade 

• Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region hosts Unite With Light Chanukah Celebration on Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. featuring music, dancing dreidels, crafts, and hot latkes, donuts and drinks. Visit https://www.jewishdurham.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4548549/jewish/Menorah-Lighting-RSVP.htm for more details and to RSVP.

• Brooklin's 2nd Annual Christmas Cottage takes place Dec. 15 and 16 at 45 Cassels Rd. E. in Brooklin. Brought to you by Mason Bennett Johncox Lawyers, Expressions the Salon, and Active Natural Health, this family-friendly event includes photos with Santa, Christmas decoration making, cookies, and hot chocolate. Don't forget to bring a non-perishable food item to support our local food banks. Visit https://www.simpletix.com/e/brooklins-2nd-annual-christmas-cottage-tickets-149292 for tickets.

• Kids Safety Village Durham hosts Christmas in the Village on Friday Dec. 1, Saturday Dec. 2, Friday Dec. 8 and Saturday Dec. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. each day at 1129 Athol St. in Whitby. Walk through the village and see the miniature buildings lit up for Christmas, take family photos at the photo booths and visit with Santa. The event is free, donations of non-perishable food, gift cards and new, unwrapped toys for the Durham Regional Police Food and Toy Drive will be accepted. Visit https://durhamsafetyvillage.com/christmas-at-the-safety-village/ for more information.