Shari Reaume, Turkstra Waterdown: Giving Back to the Community

By Julie-Marie Innes, Communication Volunteer |  January 19th

Turkstra Lumber of Waterdown has made it its mission to give back to the community it has served for over 70 years. That is why it is one of the top fundraising teams in Coldest Night of the Year and why, for the past six years it has rallied its employees and friends to join in the annual 2km or 5km walk in February.

"Together, we can make a bigger difference," believes the Waterdown Turkstra manager, Shari Reaume. "Eagles Nest does incredible work right here at home in Waterdown. I love that it provides mental health counselling because it can be so challenging in those situations."

There are 11 Turkstra branches across the province and Reaume and her team in the Waterdown branch have started what she calls, "a friendly rivalry between the other branches to see who can top the list for fundraising."

So far, the Waterdown branch and its staff have raised close to $10,000 each year for Eagles Nest and that figure has increased annually. $13,572.35 was raised by Team Turkstra of Waterdown last year to be exact.

"It's really important to give back to the community that's served and supported us," says Reaume. And, the other bonus, "it builds camaraderie between the branches. They also participate in their communities. Every year I email the branch managers at Dundas and Stoney Creek a snapshot of the numbers to show that we're ahead and tell them to get in gear. It's a lot of fun. And, I've got a toque from every walk!"

Coldest Night of the Year is definitely a proud Turkstra tradition.