Like most individuals who work in the non-profit sector, John Page doesn't do the work for recognition. Nevertheless, the Miltonian was honoured for his significant contributions to Canada earlier this month at the Toronto Centre for Technology.

The medal ceremony was held in light of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and 18 individuals, who have made a significant contribution to their community or country were recognized.

Nine years ago, Mr. Page was part of the founding committee of In Kind Canada, a resource support organization for Canadian charities. "We take the surplus from different businesses and re-distribute it. Most corporations generate surplus and much of that material would be useful to charities. We provide a cost effective way for those who have surplus material and no longer need and arrange to transfer that asset to charities that would benefit from receiving the material."

They're like Santa's elves, delivering presents all year round. Mississauga's In Kind Canada (IKC) is a non-profit organization that solicits surplus goods from corporations and individuals to give to charities that need them. No wonder their trade marks are red and green.

The range of surplus goods donated is mind-boggling. Currently in the IKC warehouse there is $1.7 million worth of personal care products donated by The Body Shop Canada. This material will be shipped out to such agencies as women's shelters, facilities for the homeless, those working with street kids and many more. "This donation represents the largest single donation ever accepted by our organization", said John Page, Executive Director of the organization.

If a corporation has a surplus, they have a problem because that surplus has to be inventoried and stored," said Page. "We solve those problems for them and at the same time, they're being good corporate citizens, so everyone wins.

Diamond Ring obtained through
In Kind Canada.
Pictures Information from: Lots of glimmer at Festival of Trees
by Greg Guy Culture Club

Rob Weatherston is one lucky locksmith.

In one of the most suspenseful fundraisers I've ever attended, Weatherston walked away from the recent Festival of Trees gala with a $ 16,000.00 diamond solitaire ring.

During the evening, about 900 gala diners were enticed to try their luck by buying one of 700 keys - at $ 20.00 each - to open a glass treasure chest in which the luxurious diamond was housed. Only 25 of the keys sold could open the chest, which would allow contestants a chance at winning the diamond encased in a smaller glass case.

Near the end of the grand soiree, 24 lucky keyholders lined up to try to open the case. Yes, just 24. Someone either left the dinner early with a key to the box in their pocket, or, and it's my theory that only 24 of the keys actually worked to get into the first box. I think if you have a chance to win a $ 16,000.00 ring, you're going to stick around.

As the 24 people paraded to the encased diamond, not one of their keys opened the box. Where was the winning key? Host Linda Kelly, of CBC's Canada Now, asked: "What do we do now?"

Robert Zed, chair of the gala and CEO of the festival's presenting sponsor Crothrall Services Canada Inc., asked the 24 contestants to come back to the stage, and draw a key from a bag, this time including the lucky "master key." :"If this doesn't work, I don't know what we'll do." Zed joked. "There is no plan C."

The keyholders line up again. Weatherston was about halfway in the lineup. He approached the glass box, with the oval cut diamond solitaire with a traditional platinum band, glimmering in the case. He slid in the key and, it opened the case. The audience cheered.

My tablemates from the CBC, Ron Crocker and his wife Sheila Fitzpatrick, John and Janet Channing, Joe and Jennifer Gillivan, Wendy and David Homes and my soulmate Calvin Blades, were wondering if Weatherston was married.

No he isn't. But the following night, he prepared a special dinner for his gal, Megan Sullivan. She was arriving home from a weekend away with Dalhousie Tigers swim team - she's assistant coach of the team.

"I was going to propose to her the next weekend, when we planned to go to the Quaterdeck outside Liverpool," Weatherston tell me. "But I thought word would get out about the ring , and I wanted it to be a surprise."

December 2 was their seventh month anniversary together. Weatherston thought it was a perfect time to ask Megan to marry him. Of course, she said, 'Yes'. They plan to marry late next year.

Weatherston is a portfolio manager at Seamark Asset Management Ltd, in Halifax, while Sullivan is an adjudicator at the Worker;s Compensation Board.

Incidently, Weatherston was out looking for a ring just days before the Festival of Trees. The diamond he won weighs 1.23 carets. It's a beauty.

Weatherston was joined in celebration after the dinner by his sister Karen, Gina MacDonald, Mark Lever of Print Atlantic and his wife, Suzette Diblee.

After all the excitement, Zed returned to the stage to say the Festival of Trees this year raised more than $200,000.00 for the Nova Scotia Hospital.