December and January
Well the holiday season is among us!
This season has been filled with wonderful surprises and plenty of fun work. I
began December by attending the Holiday Season Trade Show in Toronto. At the
show I worked at two booths. The first was for the Teddy Bears of Hope campaign.
We collected teddy bears and toonies and we even built a teddy bear mountain.
Moreover, I worked at a booth for “Mixis Dolls.” I have become the new 2008
spokesperson for these dolls. Mixis dolls were produced for our rapidly growing
multi-racial, multi-ethnic and diverse youth society. I am very proud to be
associated with a product designed to cultivate respect and celebrate the
similarities and differences of all people.
I was also given the privilege of traveling to Niagara Falls
and Niagara on the Lake. I was in the Niagara on the Lake Christmas Parade.
Following this, I toured Niagra Falls. I went on a helicopter ride overlooking
the Falls and learned many interesting historic facts about the area. I was then
in the Niagara Falls Candle Light Walk. Following, I went to the Niagara Falls
Light Tower and was able to change the colour of the Falls all by myself! It was
an amazing experience that I will never forget!
After our stay in the Niagara Region, we were off to Toronto. We attended the
Toronto Tourism Christmas Party and had a wonderful time. The next day I was
given the opportunity to host an amazing charity event called Jolly Jam. This
event was planned and put together by Tara Hall, Miss Canada International 2002.
Jolly Jam was a concert featuring local indi-bands in Toronto that raised money
for the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital Foundation, food for The Daily Bread Food
Bank, and toys for Interval House. The night was a huge success and I had so
much fun being the MC!
Following our trip to Toronto, we spent a week in the city of Leamington. I
toured the city, visited many schools and nursing homes, was interviewed live on
the radio, and completed lots of fundraising for the Teddy Bears of Hope
Campaign. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay, and had an absolutely wonderful time.
The Holidays are an absolutely amazing season, but I had never really noticed how much people give around this time of year. They give of their time, they give of their material possessions, and they give to others their kindness and compassion. Traveling and being able to witness first hand the good will of Canadians has truly been an inspiring experience!
The lesson I
learned this season is as follows:
The best of all gifts around any holiday season: performing an act of kindness simply because you can.
Cassondra Paletta
Miss Teen Canada International 2008