COMING SOON: A night of connection, culture, and community!

The Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF), in proud partnership with the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area (CFKA), École Secondaire Publique Mille-Îles and Conseiller des écoles publiques de I’Est de I’Ontario, invites you to the 8th Annual Diversity Dinner.

This year’s theme — Resilience Through Diversity — reflects the spirit of Kingston’s evolving community: one that celebrates stories, fosters unity, and empowers change.

What to expect:

 🌍 Experience diverse cuisines from various cultures
🎤 Listen to inspiring stories from community leaders
💃 Enjoy cultural performances showcasing Kingston’s rich heritage
🤝 Connect with like-minded individuals who believe in inclusivity

Mark your calendar:
May 10, 2025 | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
École Secondaire Publique Mille-Îles,1290 Wheathill St., Kingston, ON K7M 0A7

RSVP now (free but required): https://cfka.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=2091

Let’s come together to share stories, build bridges, and move forward—stronger and united.

#DiversityDinner #CCKF #CFKA #CommunityUnity #KingstonEvents #InclusiveFuture #TogetherWeGrow #ResilienceThroughDiversity

 

As winter continues to bring cold temperatures, Jimmy Hassan and the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) have once again stepped up to support Kingston’s unhoused community through the 5th Annual Blanket Drive 2025. This initiative is a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of those facing hardship.

Our Goal: 100 Brand New Blankets

This year, the goal is to purchase and donate 100 brand new blankets to provide warmth and comfort to individuals struggling with homelessness. The community’s support is essential to achieving this goal and ensuring that no one is left out in the cold.

How You Can Help

The Blanket Drive is currently in progress, and donations are welcome! Here’s how you can contribute:
🧥 Donate a new blanket – Every donation directly helps someone in need.
💵 Make a financial contribution – Funds will go toward purchasing blankets for distribution.
📍 Spread the word – Share the initiative with friends, family, and on social media using #KingstonBlanketDrive.

Join the Movement of Kindness

The Blanket Drive 2025 is more than just a donation campaign—it’s about community, compassion, and making a tangible impact. With your help, we can ensure that Kingston’s most vulnerable residents have warmth and comfort during the harshest months of the year.

We will continue to update this blog as the initiative progresses, sharing milestones and success stories along the way. Stay tuned for more details on donation locations and distribution efforts!

To get involved or contribute, reach out to Jimmy Hassan or the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation today.

Let’s spread warmth, one blanket at a time!

#BlanketDrive2025 #CommunitySupport #KingstonCares #CCKF #SpreadWarmth

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and giving back to the community. For the fourth year in a row, Jimmy Hassan, in collaboration with the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) and Pizza Pizza, led the Santa Slices Initiative—a heartwarming effort to provide fresh, hot pizza slices to those in need across Kingston.

A Community-Driven Effort

The 2024 Santa Slices Project set out with an ambitious goal: donating 1,111 slices to local charities, shelters, and community organizations. However, thanks to overwhelming community support, the initiative far exceeded this target, distributing over 2,500 slices by the end of the campaign.

Making a Difference, One Slice at a Time

The initiative kicked off on December 10, 2024, with MP Mark Gerretsen and his wife, Vanessa, helping prepare the first batch of 100 slices for Tipi Moza – Iron Homes. From there, the momentum grew, with volunteers and donors from all walks of life joining hands to support the cause.

Throughout the month, Santa Slices delivered fresh pizzas to organizations such as:
🍕 St. Vincent de Paul Society – 540+ slices
🍕 Martha’s Table & Two Dawn House Shelters – 400+ slices
🍕 Bridges Kingston, Lunch by George & Integrated Care Hub – 500+ slices
🍕 Kingston Interval House & Adelaide Shelter – 200+ slices

Leaders & Businesses Joining the Cause

The Santa Slices Initiative received immense support from community leaders, city officials, and local businesses, including:
✔️ Mayor Bryan Paterson & MPP Ted Hsu – Helping prepare 300 slices
✔️ The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment (PWOR) – Donating 200 slices
✔️ Dr. Waji Khan (Cataraqui Woods Dentistry) – Donating $1,000 for an additional 1,000 slices
✔️ Kingston Chief of Police Scott Fraser & Councillor Wendy Stephen – Assisting with final deliveries

The initiative’s success was a testament to Kingston’s incredible spirit of generosity. Businesses, city officials, volunteers, and community organizations all came together to ensure that those in need were fed and felt the warmth of the holiday season.

Mission Accomplished: More Than Just Pizza

On January 4, 2025, the Santa Slices Initiative officially wrapped up, surpassing its goal with a final donation of 200 slices to Kingston Interval House and Adelaide Shelter. Jimmy Hassan, along with Councillor Wendy Stephen and Rukhsana Rehman, led the last batch of deliveries, ending the initiative on a high note.

The success of Santa Slices 2024 proves that small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of generosity and hope. This project wasn’t just about pizza—it was about coming together as a community to share, uplift, and support one another.

Looking Ahead: A Tradition of Giving

With each passing year, the Santa Slices Initiative continues to grow, inspiring more people to give back and make a difference. Thanks to the leadership of Jimmy Hassan and the support of volunteers, donors, and sponsors, Kingston remains a shining example of what it means to care for one another.

If you’d like to contribute or get involved in next year’s Santa Slices Initiative, stay connected through the Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) and consider donating or volunteering.

Together, we can make the holidays brighter, one slice at a time.

#SantaSlices #CommunitySpirit #GivingBack #KingstonCares 🍕❤️

The Canadian Colours Kingston Foundation (CCKF) is thrilled to announce the resounding success of our 7th Annual Diversity Dinner held in 2024

This year’s event was truly exceptional, showcasing the vibrant diversity and unity that defines Kingston. Attendees from various cultural backgrounds came together to share their unique traditions, delicious cuisines, and inspiring stories, creating an atmosphere of warmth and inclusion.

Highlights of the Evening:

• Incredible Engagement: The evening was filled with lively conversations and meaningful interactions. Guests had the opportunity to connect, learn from each other, and celebrate our shared values.
• Cultural Performances: We were delighted to witness captivating performances that highlighted the rich cultural heritage of our community. From traditional dances to musical showcases, the talent on display was truly mesmerizing.
• Delicious Cuisine: A feast of diverse culinary delights was enjoyed by all, representing the flavours and traditions of our multicultural community.
• Inspirational Speakers: Esteemed speakers shared powerful messages about the importance of inclusivity, equity, and unity, inspiring all attendees to continue fostering a welcoming environment in Kingston.

A special thank you goes to Jimmy Hassan and family for his exceptional efforts in organizing this remarkable event. Your dedication and hard work ensured that the Diversity Dinner was a night to remember.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this event. Your participation and enthusiasm exemplify the spirit of community that CCKF strives to nurture.

As we look forward to future events, we remain committed to promoting inclusivity and celebrating the beautiful diversity that enriches our city. Stay tuned for more initiatives and opportunities to get involved with CCKF.

Thank you for being a part of our journey towards a more inclusive and united Kingston!

#CCKF #DiversityDinner2024 #CelebrateDiversity #CommunityUnity #Kingston

The Diversity Dinner is an annual event held by the CCKF to serve as an act of gratitude to Kingston and build a platform for communities to share their cultures and ideas. Kingston has given all of us many things to be grateful for, more than just the land we stand on. It has given us an opportunity, community, a place in the world, friends, family, and things to be passionate about to name just a few of the near-endless list. The purpose of hosting a dinner event then is to try and give something back and share in our thankfulness for the city and community by bringing together many people for a night to enjoy.

There is also a grander intention, an overall goal that this idea was built from. Canada is such a diverse country and Kingston is a leader in multiculturalism, but many communities are very self-contained. While they share their culture and traditions, it can be hard to see faces from beyond the community. The Diversity Dinner’s main aim is to provide a platform for all these communities to come together and share what makes them unique. For members and leaders to put their heads together, give ideas, and learn more about their fellow Kingstonains, together.