MISSION
To disrupt the cycle of poverty by empowering
children and youth to realize their full potential.
VISION
By 2027 Glowing Hearts will enable 2500 children and youth, vulnerable to poverty in Simcoe County, to access resources and opportunities that support their growth, confidence, and self-determination.
VALUES
RESILIENT
We anticipate risk, limit its impact, and bounce back rapidly through adaptability, evolution, and change.
INCLUSIVE
We value and embrace each other’s individuality and encourage and respect all forms of diversity.
TRANSFORMATIVE
We demonstrate the courage and curiosity to challenge the status quo in everything we do to meet the ever-changing needs of our community.
PRINCIPLED
We act responsibly with integrity and transparency and continuously strive to meet our mission and vision.
COLLABORATIVE
We work with others to build a kinder, more compassionate community to enrich young people’s lives.
How Glowing Hearts Began
After being diagnosed as terminally ill with cancer in 2013, Frank began a bucket list journey. This bucket list consisted of initiatives to help others in need. One item on this list was a concept that revolved around the idea "Give what you can, and get what you need". The registered charity called the Glowing Hearts Community Give & Get Centres was established. Previously the centre has given away approximately 12,000 items to over 1,500 people each month.
What started as a simple concept: “give what you can and take what you need” has evolved into what Glowing Hearts Charity is today... a thriving organization that supports children and youth in need across Simcoe County.
Today, as a grassroots, completely volunteer-run organization, the Board continues to ensure that Frank’s vision stays at the forefront by facilitating hope and help in our community with a focus on reducing the many financial burdens that low-income families face.
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Founder
Frank Nelson
June 3, 1956-December 8, 2017
Meet Our Core Team of Volunteers
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PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
"I just really wanted to thank you again for going above and beyond for us...you definitely made a huge difference...and I am eternally grateful."
"There's not enough gratitude that can compare to how we felt! We were in tears of joy with everything. It really helped us a lot and we cannot thank you enough! God bless you all and we will definitely pay it forward when we are able to!"
"You all are angels on earth, simply put. Your kindness, patience and amazing work is beyond amazing!!!"
"Thank you so very much to everyone who helped put this program together. You have touched the lives of so many families with this simple act of kindness. Many families struggle to make ends meet and affording these items for our kids can be tough. I truly believe that love is the only house big enough for all the pain and hardship in the world. And your acts of love and kindness has made all the difference!"
"People don’t understand how much their donation, big or small, helps parents like myself. Also the joy it gives to the students to know all their school needs are met and look great. An awesome first day and week of school set the tone for the whole year 100%. What you do makes these children feel so amazing and complete. A simple donation is so much greater than just giving a donation. It creates children who are eager to learn and enjoy to learn. You are creating fantastic futures and children who will be amazing adults and members of society who will go on to do huge things for the world.
All that from a simple donation and that’s just the child’s side. I would go on forever about how much it means to and helps us parents. Just the stress relief and seeing our child off to an amazing start and excited to start school. Especially after everything with COVID over the last couple years.
I can’t say thank you enough!!!"
PROFESSIONAL TESTIMONIALS
"Glowing Hearts has made huge strides as it reinvents itself by reviewing its practices, policies, terms of references - and while going through this important governance work that is essential for a well-run charity, has also, more importantly, delivered on its mission. This fall, hundreds of children and youth received free backpacks stuffed with school supplies. Glowing Hearts ensured that a. the right children (ie those truly in need) received the resources and b. that the backpacks and school supplies were of a high quality so as to promote self-confidence and a sense of value. Our community is stronger thanks to the efforts of this organization's board of directors, volunteers, donors, and corporate sponsors."
BRIAN SHELLEY
YMCA OF SIMCOE MUSKOKA
Vice President of Philanthropy, Brand & Community Development
"A relevant and ambitious organization, Glowing Hearts has gone through a recent transformation. Past disruptions included a frequent changeover in board members, the closure of their Give and Get Centre, and then as with everyone, finding themselves deep in the pandemic, the new board faced tough decisions in determining how their charity would have the greatest impact for their target group. They took a hard look at the current situation for low-income families in the region and set about creating a new mission and vision that would avoid further redundancies and be sustainable into the future.
In developing their vision and plan to take them into at least the next five years, Glowing Hearts truly embraced change. Incredibly, they did this while continuing to respect and honour the legacy and vision of their founder, Frank Nelson.
In determining their new vision, mission and value statements, Glowing Hearts asked the right questions of why do we need to do it, what should we do, and who will it truly serve? They created a plan that will allow them to continue to grow and develop campaigns to fulfill their mission, disrupt the cycle of poverty by empowering children and youth to realize their full potential.
Glowing Hearts massively exceeded their desired impact with their 2021 Backpack Campaign. Their vision is that by 2027 they will have enabled 2500 children and youth to access resources and opportunities. The goal for this specific resource campaign in 2021 was to give 150 backpacks to kids who needed them. They gave out 600 backpacks! This outstanding result from one campaign confirms to us that Glowing Hearts will become a force in the community helping children and youth for years to come."
JEANNETTE HEYWOOD, TOM COON, AND JANE KLEMENTI
THE OTHER HALF CONSULTANTS INC.
Principals and Associate
Our success in helping the children and youth vulnerable to poverty has been made possible thanks to people just like you. With your generous contribution, no matter how great or small, we are able to truly make a difference. We are grateful for any help you can provide, and guarantee it will change lives for the better.
2023 DONOR WALL
GLOWING HEARTS CHARITY EXTENDS A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CHAMPIONS OF CHILDREN & YOUTH IN SIMCOE COUNTY
PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE
SCHOLAR
Anonymous (1)
Pavlik Foundation
GRADUATE
Canada Protection Plan, a Foresters Financial Company
James A. Burton & Family Foundation
Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach
HONOURS
Anonymous (1)
Monica Goodfellow
DONORS
Anonymous (7)
Accounting Essentials Plus
Bruce MacGillivray Instant Imprint
Bulldog Property Management Group
Divya Awasthi
Stephanie Brady, Assisting You Social
Anna Candelino (in support of Vince & family from Maple Grove P.S. staff)
Janice Coutts
Jenn Belbeck-Cragg
Crystal Benjafield
Su Cadogan
Samantha Cave
Lisa Creighton
Domenic D'Addio Realty Inc.
Jeff & Marilyn Garner
Global Payments
Louise Gravelle & Lee Miller
Laurena Green
Green/Clarke family & friends
Danny Gregoric
Jessica Hendriks
Joe's No Frills
Joan Kennedy
MA Customized Mortgage Strategies
Newman Accounting Professional Corporation
Rob Newman
Rob Newman Sr.
Simcoe IT Solutions
Trish Beesley Photography
2022 DONOR WALL
PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE
MiTek Canada, Inc.
SCHOLAR
GRADUATE
Anonymous (1)
BNI
Bradford Lions Club
Canada Protection Plan, a Foresters Financial Company
Canplas Industries Ltd.
County Commons Co.
Sarah Fleming
James A. Burton and Family Foundation
JMS Law
Midland Lions Club
North Barrie Market Wing Night Guys
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association-Secondary
Ontario Provincial Police Association
Pavlik Foundation
Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia
Rotary Club of Midland
Rotary Club of Penetanguishene
Simcoe County Elementary Teachers Federation
Walmart
HONOURS
Anonymous (8)
John S. Bell
Judy Cathcart
Charon Clute Insurance Agency Inc.
Mary & Dave Crann (in memory of Martin Carl)
Dollarama
Hampton Inn & Suites
MA Customized Mortgage Strategies
Newman Accounting Professional Corporation
Rob Newman
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association-Elementary
Penetanguishene Lions Club
Rotary Club of Orillia
Royal Lepage First Contact Realty
Susan Scott
Joanna Shaw
Simcoe IT Solutions
Andrea Stapley
Tayler Insurance & Estate Planning Inc.
Trish Beesley Photography
Satraj Toor
DONORS
Anonymous (60)
Pauline Abela (in memory of my mom, Gay Abela)
Accounting Essentials Plus
Advantage HR
Kathy Alexander
Karen Arney
Judith Aubin
Barrie Instant Imprints
BNI Spirit Catchers
Dana Baggs White
Sarah Bakker Homes
Lauren Ballentyne
Deanne Beck
Tracey Bednarczyk
Stephanie Brady
Catherine Brand
Lianne Brassard
Marilyn Brock (in memory of Jean Dunn)
Maria Burns (in memory of Nick & Livia Iannone)
Jackie Byles
Sue Cadogan
Campus Priority
Liz Carlin
Brittney Cathcart
Shirley Chapman
Rosemary Clarke
Michael Clance
Helene Compeau
Tom Coon & Jeanette Heywood
Jade Coulson
Sheila Croney
Mae Dasilva
Bonnie Dermott
Patrick Duchesneau
Rick Earhart
Educators of Kindergarten Rm 114
Karen Ellement
Cathy Eisener
Cheryl Engelsman
Farm Boy Barrie
Meg Gallagher (in memory of Jean Dunn
from the McMaster family)
Jeff Garner
Mark & Kathleen Gardiner
Gilmore & Gilmore Professional Corporation
Julia Goebel
Jenna Goorts
Louise Gravelle & Lee Miller
Green/Clarke family & friends
Adam Grose
Raj Grover
Carolyn Hadcock
Jana Haines
Tena Hargreaves
Anita Hayes
Megan Hendry
Kelly Higgins
Ruth Houghton
Debbie Hudson
Beverly Hughes
Jennifer Ives
Sarah Jansen
Ellie Jenkins Ross
Sylvie Labrosse
Lisa Logan (in honour of Carol Mudde)
Lorelei
Alexa Lowe
Vanessa McCreight
Michelle McDonald
Sarah McDonald
Christy McGee
Gayle McKay
Ciara McMillen (in memory of John Butt)
Merk Engineering Inc.
Nele Meuleman
Stephen Michael & Sarge
Brittni Middleton
Jeannie Mills
Sheri Montgomery
Natasha Mooney
Sarah Murray
Lisa Nicol
Nicole Dalcourt Professional Real Estate Corporation
Isaac Osiel
Namita Parmar
Kelly Patterson McGrath
Stephanie Pellow
Pet Grocer
Carolyn Pitman
Brandon Placido
Pop's Cannabis Co. Big Bay Point
Kimberley Power
Betty Priddle
Megan Purton
Andrea Reid
Laura Reid
Jessica Robertson
Caitlyn Robinson
Dana Robinson
Samantha Seaman
Lindsay Shearer
Linda Sherman
Amy Simpson
Janice Skot
Liza Soliman
Suzy Stenoff
Peter Sullivan
Tara Vienneau Mortgage Broker
Andrew Telford
The Thompson/Nelson Family
Tomini Family
Trusted Realty Inspections
Christine Verissimo Martin
Sarah West
Paula Wilimek
Jenn Williams
Steph Wolfe
France Young