ABOUT CCKF
We respectfully acknowledge that the City of Kingston is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat peoples. These lands are covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We honour and recognize the enduring presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples, past and present, as we work together to build an inclusive community.
The history of our beautiful city is as diverse as the people who call it home. Originally a French trading post named “Cataraqui,” the city became known as Kingston when the British took over in the mid-18th century. While early Kingston was home to three predominant cultural groups, its demographics have grown exponentially over the years. Today, this historic city—nestled where the St. Lawrence River meets the Cataraqui River—stands as a shining example of what it means to be Canadian, embracing the cultural diversity that makes our True North strong and free.
The Canadian Colours of Kingston Foundation (CCKF) is proud to continue fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity—the very values that have made Kingston a harmonious home for Canadians of all backgrounds. We believe the rich tapestry of cultures and religions that make up our city is a source of strength. Equity and respect are core to Canadian values, and regardless of background, belief, or culture, every person has the right to feel welcome and at peace with their neighbours.
By celebrating and appreciating the cultural differences of our fellow Canadians, we live out the true spirit of Canada. CCKF was created to bring diverse communities together and to build understanding, communication, and unity—changing the narrative around what true diversity means.
MISSION & VALUES
CCKF’s goal is to create a community that understands, embraces and celebrates everyone’s cultural, religious and/or ethnic backgrounds to pass down the Canadian value of multicultrualism to the generations after us. This can only be done together, by accepting and following the Canadian values, culture, etc. we all share in this country. This will result in a community that is truly diverse with a strong connection to Canadian spirit.
Acceptance & Understanding
Tolerance and appreciation of our ethnic, cultural, religious, and identity diversity start with a “Hello”. By establishing open and honest channels of communication we can create a productive and ongoing dialogue that helps all who engage build a greater understanding and compassion for their fellow Canadians.
The Kingston area has one of the most diverse populations in the country, with a place of worship for tens of religions, dozens of spoken languages by hundreds of different ethnic backgrounds, and thousands of individual stories or histories.
While we may all be very different, we’re united in the belief that Canada offers the best opportunity for us and our families and we are all proud to be living in this country. When we open our hearts and minds to engaging with our fellow Kingstonians, we can all begin to see that in our Canadian pride, we are all the same. So the CCKF urges you to take the first step and say “Hello!” to someone new.
Learning & Growing With History
Just like ancient fables, the stories we can tell can teach us all. Everyone has their own history and customs, experiences that shape our beliefs and perspectives of what it means to be a Canadian. Many of us have a unique ethnic background with its own culture and we cannot be made to feel like it should be left behind or forgotten. Many others have a long history in Canada, with traditions that date back centuries, and those traditions should never be made to be forgotten.
Our traditions and beliefs are a valuable part of who we are, and our fellow Canadians can benefit from learning about our past and we can grow by learning about theirs. They present ways of thinking and solutions that you may never have considered before, enriching ideas that you never would have learned of otherwise. We all should learn from our fellow Canadians and work towards a greater country.
Our mission is to facilitate this experience and encourage the various individuals in our community to come together and share their experiences. Accepting and learning about the various cultures that make up our community. When we create a space for everyone to learn from and share with each other, we create the best version of our city and nation that we can, little by little.
A Forum For Guidance
When you first arrive in a new country it can be a difficult transition – even in a country as open and tolerant as Canada. You may not be familiar with the customs, the language, or the different beliefs and backgrounds that you can see in the country and that is ok.
Our foundation recognizes the challenges that new Canadians are facing and we aim to help bridge that gap. We want to be a place of guidance that will help you learn about what it means to be a Canadian in a city like Kingston. To connect you with your new friends and neighbours and feel that you are where you belong from day one.
It’s our goal to show you how to truly integrate into Canadian society and adopt its values, by helping our city be as welcoming as it can be. The road that brought us here and made us part of the Canadian family is different for everyone, but it has reached the same destination every time and now that we’ve chosen Canada as our new home, we need to help share its values with each other. That way, we can all become true Canadians
The Path Forward
One of the greatest things about Canada is that we can practice our customs and traditions freely. Canada is a country dedicated to multiculturalism and diversity in everything it does. It was founded on a belief that all Canadians, new and old, bring with them something valuable to share with the country. We believe that the rich and diverse cultural past of our ancestors should be celebrated and remembered.
The Colours of Kingston Foundation believes strongly in the importance of every story, belief, background, and individual that makes up our community. There’s no reason we can’t celebrate the customs and traditions of our ancestry in our homes and share them with our community. Those traditions can and should be valued, as that is the Canadian way.
Our country and city are a rich mosaic of cultural diversity that makes us stronger with each piece. We also have a strong Canadian value system which enables so many different cultures to live and together we create a brilliant and vibrant community to live in for generations.
NEWS & GALLERY
The holiday season is a time for giving, compassion, and strengthening the bonds within our community. For the fifth year in a row, the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) is proud to announce the return of our annual Santa Slices Initiative — a tradition that began in 2020 and has grown into one of Kingston’s most heartwarming acts of holiday generosity.
Why We Do This
Santa Slices was created with one simple purpose: to ensure that those in need receive a fresh, hot meal during the holiday season.
What began as a humble effort to deliver 500 slices during the pandemic has grown into a powerful community-driven movement supported by volunteers, donors, and leaders across Kingston.
Last year, the community helped us surpass all expectations — donating more than 2,500 slices across shelters, food programs, and outreach networks throughout the city.
This remarkable success reflects Kingston’s true spirit: when the community comes together, small acts of kindness become something extraordinary.
Kicking Off Santa Slices 2025
We are excited to officially begin planning for Santa Slices 2025, starting in December with the same goal we set every year:
1,111 hot slices delivered to those who need it most — and hopefully much more through community support.
Once again, our volunteers, community partners, and supporters will be joining hands to prepare and deliver pizzas throughout Kingston. This initiative will continue to support essential organizations such as:
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St. Vincent de Paul Society
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Martha’s Table & Dawn House
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Lunch by George
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Integrated Care Hub
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Kingston Interval House
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Adelaide Street Shelter
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And other local outreach programs
As in previous years, we welcome the involvement of city officials, community groups, businesses, and volunteers who believe in uplifting others during the holiday season.
A Tradition That Continues to Grow
Santa Slices has become more than a food donation program — it is a symbol of unity, generosity, and hope.
Thanks to the leadership of Jimmy Hassan, the dedication of CCKF volunteers, and the support of Kingston residents, this initiative becomes stronger each year.
We invite everyone to join us as we begin the 2025 Santa Slices journey. Whether through volunteering, donating, or sharing our message, your support helps warm hearts and bring smiles during the coldest time of year.
Together, we can continue to make the holidays brighter —
one slice at a time.
#SantaSlices #FeedKingston #HolidayGiving #CCKF #KingstonCares 🍕❤️
On Remembrance Day, the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation stood in solemn reflection to honour the courageous soldiers who served — and continue to serve — for the freedoms and peace we cherish as Canadians.
Our founder attended two significant ceremonies:
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The Civic Service of Remembrance at the Cross of Sacrifice Cenotaph in the morning
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The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 Remembrance Service in the afternoon
At both services, a wreath was laid on behalf of CCKF in tribute to every Canadian soldier who has fought, served, and sacrificed for our nation.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Rumit Sohal (Coordinator CCKF), Syed Rehman, Anjum P. Dar and Zeeshan Ali Qureshi for standing alongside CCKF and representing our organization with respect and dignity during these ceremonies.
Today and always, we honour their courage.
We honour their sacrifice.
We remember.
Lest we forget.
On October 30th, the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) Youth proudly hosted the Second Annual Remote Food Drive in support of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston.
Despite a cold and rainy day, our volunteers showed exceptional dedication, going door-to-door across the Trillium District to collect donations. Their commitment — paired with the incredible generosity of local residents — resulted in an extraordinary 3,500 to 4,500 pounds of non-perishable food gathered for families in need.
This year’s Remote Food Drive stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together with purpose and compassion.
The event was made even stronger through the collaboration of:
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Dr. Waji Khan and The Khan Foundation
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The Pilipinos Integrated Community Kingston, Ontario (PICKO)
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The generous residents of the Trillium District
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Our dedicated CCKF Youth leaders and volunteers
Your support helps fill shelves, warm hearts, and ensure that families across Kingston have access to essential food supplies during difficult times.
From everyone at the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation, thank you for making this initiative a true reflection of community, kindness, and unity.
#FeedKingston #CCKFYouth #StVincentDePaul #PICKO #WajiKhan #KingstonGivesBack
PHOTO GALLERY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jimmy Hassan
Founder and President
Franchise Owner of Pizza Pizza at 705-277 Bath Road
Producer/Host Community Voices @YourTV (Cogeco)
City Counsellor, Trillium District, Kingston, Ontario
Deputy Mayor, Kingston, Ontario
Originally from Pakistan, Jimmy immigrated to California in 1994, moving to Canada in 1998. After living and working for several years in Montreal and Toronto, Jimmy and his wife settled in Kingston where he started a business, his family, and the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation.
Cell: 613-888-6760 | Email: jimmyhassan@hotmail.com
Coordinator-CCKF
Rumit Sohal | Cell: 613-328-8764 | Email: rumit_sohal@yahoo.ca
OUR COMMUNITY
The Canadian Colours Kingston Community
CCKF’s membership represents a large portion of the Canadian community in the Kingston area. We share our beliefs with new Canadians, citizens who were born and raised, and the indigenous people who have occupied this land for generations before us. We want to continue to share these beliefs with our future generations of Kingstonians. Our strengths come from our differences and sharing these stories with one another will help us all grow and learn together while providing a path to empower and educate new and incoming Canadians. Canada is our home, and we share our experiences in order to further build out a strong, diverse community with strong connections to Canadian values.
CCKF hosts regular events, fundraisers, and community-led programs. If you are interested in learning more, getting involved or showing your support, check our NEWS & GALLERY section for updates.