Of the Heart, From the Heart, For the Heart
Published Monday, March 10, 2025
Thank you to our incredible community for supporting these incredible Heart Month fundraisers! From heart cookies to floral bouquets and Pocket Hugs, your generosity is making a difference in local cardiac care.
February's Community Fundraisers Support Our Hearts at Home Campaign – and Touch the Hearts of Thousands
Social media across Thunder Bay filled with heart emojis in February with all the great community fundraisers we had in support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation's Our Hearts at Home Campaign!
Since February is Heart Month, it's not surprising that these community events focused on heart health. All money raised goes directly towards local cardiovascular surgery and care. Not only do these community events raise much-needed funds, they are an easy way for the community to rally together around a great cause.
Bay Village Coffee gave the month a sweet start with heart-shaped cookies during what is quickly becoming a Thunder Bay favourite: the Bay Village Heart Cookie Fundraiser. Every year, volunteers help owner Alan Forbes make thousands of cookies. Originally launched in memory of Patty Hobbs, a friend who passed away from a heart attack, the fundraiser took on new meaning after 2023 when Alan had a heart attack of his own.
This year, Bay Village Heart Cookie Fundraiser sold 9,143 cookies and raised over $36,000 (and counting), which is double last year's total.
“Thank you Thunder Bay for supporting our Heart Cookie Fundraiser,” Alan said on Instagram during Bay Village Coffee's big month-end reveal of totals. “It's been a phenomenal month. We sold a lot of cookies this year – way more than we could have even imagined!”
Another (ahem) perennial favourite is the Share a Heart Floral Fundraiser. This year, Grower Direct, Vaillant Florist, and Rollason Flowers created stunning Share a Heart Bouquets, special for Valentine's Day. Ten percent of proceeds went directly to the Our Hearts at Home Campaign.
“We're proud to say that we've been a part of the Share a Heart Fundraiser every year for several years now,” said Debbie Drebit, Manager of Rollason Flowers. “It's an amazing fundraiser and all the money stays local, which is even better.”
All three florists sold over 100 special Share a Heart Bouquets combined in February.
Jodi Afonso of Afonso Creations came up with a unique idea as well: the Pocket Hug. These small, resin hearts fit right in your shirt or pants pocket, keeping the memory of a loved one close to you. For Jodi, those special someones were her grandparents, Irene and Saul Levanen, who she described as “a shining example of the transformative power of love and generosity”.
Jodi sold Pocket Hugs in a variety of colours for $5 and succulents for $20 in support of local cardiac care. She set up booths on certain days in February at the Hospital and the Heritage Building on the CLE grounds as well as all month at Bay Village Coffee.
Afonso Creations' Pocket Hug Fundraiser smashed expectations, raising $1,905 – well above her goal of $1,500. Raising funds was only part of what she hoped to accomplish.
“What's the ultimate goal? Spreading love, kindness, and positive messaging throughout our community to create a ripple effect of hope and compassion,” Jodi said in an Instagram post.
That's exactly what these community events are all about: the personal meaning as well as local healthcare fundraising. When you buy a Pocket Hug, a bouquet of flowers, or a heart-shaped cookie, you're also honouring the memory of someone in your life who struggled with cardiac disease – truly of the heart, from the heart, and for the heart!
“The community showed a big heart in February, that's for sure!” said Selena Owen, Development Assistant – Events at the Health Sciences Foundation. “So many people went out of their way to support these events. Like Jodi said: community support raises money, but it also spreads love and kindness. I get a little overwhelmed, watching the community come together like this.”
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who helped support local cardiac care so that everyone can live longer, healthier lives. Construction is finally starting on the new Cardiovascular Program at the Hospital.
We can't wait to see you next year!
Interested in hosting a community event?
Reach out to Selena Owen for more information!
807-684-7788 | Email Selena
Article by Graham Strong