Hey guys, this week, we have a little something special for you. We have a special guest, Mr. Bob Ghosh, from the CHEO Foundation. And this week we're going to talk about what the Feely Group is doing with our Christmas Toy Drive, and also what's going on at CHEO.

Kevin: Say, Bob, thanks again for coming. Tell me a little bit about what's going on at CHEO and what you do there.

Bob: Thanks, Kevin, and to the Feely Group team. My role at the CHEO is I'm the community engagement officer at CHEO. So I get to work with amazing businesses and families and people that want to fundraise for CHEO, just like the Feely group. And I get to talk to people every day and see events and help them with their fundraisers and get to hear all their stories and why they want to support the kids CHEO.

Kevin: Awesome. And I know a lot of people are probably wondering, what's it like, chilly days, or what's it like been to this pandemic?

Bob: I mean, we've seen in the news, and I'm sure everyone's seen in the news that the pandemics have been very hard on everyone, including kids. CHEO right now, we just got word from our last town hall that we had that CHEO’s emergency room has been the busiest since about, I think it was July, August, September, October, it's been the busiest it's ever been in 47 years. They're seeing numbers of kids and families coming in that they usually get during peak flu season, which is the end of January and February. And they’re they started getting those numbers at July. So the staff is working very hard. And nurses, doctors, volunteers are working very hard around the clock. So it's really lucky that we have the community support to help the staff provide world-class care. So we're appreciative of the community.

Kevin: For sure. And what's it like for the kids who are staying at CHEO these days? Like, are they still able to have visitors?

Bob: Yeah, just because of COVID 19 protocols and stuff like that. That's one of the sad parts about it if you are staying at CHEO and the kids are there for long periods of time, because of the restrictions and the rules put in place to protect everyone. Kids are not allowed regular visitors, they're allowed like one parent in at a time. So that affects kids a lot. Just because they don't get to see their loved ones, they might not be able to see their brother and sister or siblings, uncles, aunts, they don't get the regular visitors to help them. I guess to help them brighten their day. So that is a really tough part. But the staff are working really I know, the nurses and doctors when I'm lucky enough to go in to see some of the kids. I know how hard they're working to try to keep the kids happy, entertained. And the kids are fighters. So they find a way to adapt. But obviously, the more people, the more support they have these years on.

Kevin: Yeah. And so I appreciate you coming to me with the idea of the toy drive. And definitely, yeah, we're happy to help. Maybe bring some happiness to these kids’ lives during the holiday season.

Bob: Yeah, that's great that you guys are doing that. So I mean, I know you and your team throughout the year support CHEO in various ways through sponsorship and other great matching campaigns that you've done. So your team's great for doing that. You're great for coming to me for doing that. And to end the year this way, our hospital, the beds are at capacity. So during the holiday season and Christmas time or whatever people celebrate. The hospital will be at capacity. And just because of the protocols, they won't be getting a lot of visitors so the fact that you're getting your clients and your team to help donate and then having you all go buy toys for I guess CHEO wish list will make a big difference. At least brighten, put a smile on some of the kids faces during the holiday season when I mean, who doesn't like a nice toy or something that they could use to keep their minds occupied during the holiday season if they're at the hospital, so and like I said the hospital is at capacity. And unfortunately will be at capacity during the holiday season.

Kevin: Thanks, Bob. I think it's important for anyone watching to really know what's going on with CHEO, and for everybody's watching. And if you're wondering, what is it you can do to help, what we're doing this year? We're doing the Feely Group Toy Drive so we're actually going to match all donations that we received through our GoFundMe page. We can also take in donations of toys they have to be unwrapped and new. We have a list that will provide as well. But every donation that you guys make, the Feely Group is going to match. And we're going to go through and buy toys for these kids to make sure that they have the best holiday season that they could possibly have.

Aside from that, we do donate on every closing that we have in the Feely Group. So if you do have any friends or family looking to make a move, or if you're looking to buy or sell yourself, you can always give us a call and know that the money is going to support the kids at CHEO.

Bob: Thank you once again, Kevin, and to the team for ending the year on this great note and doing this holiday Christmas Toy Drive for CHEO. Like, as we mentioned before, the fact that we can rely on corporate business and community support, that's what drives CHEO, and let's be able to do what it does. And the fact that you are getting your clients and the community to help support you through the GoFundMe page. And the fact you guys we're gonna match the donations is amazing. And I'm gonna be looking forward to seeing you and your team go shopping and getting the kids the toys that they want to get and then having, I believe you and your team are going to coordinate with us to come to drop off the toys outside of CHEO so we can accept them. And I know you're gonna bring a lot of smiles on kids’ faces during the holiday time when they need it the most. So yeah, thank you to everyone that's been supporting the Feely Group.

If you do have any questions, you can always look at our CHEO Foundation website. So it's www.CheoFoundation.com, one of our emails is there if you want to find other ways to support CHEO, but supporting Kevin in the Feely Group has been working out really great for us. So thank you very much Kevin and to the team and to everyone out there reading this blog.

Kevin: Thank you again.

Bob: Not a problem. Have a great holiday season and stay well.