A hockey first at Northlea Elementary & Middle School!
There is nothing quite as special as playing for your school team, and it is extra special when your team wins a first-ever championship. That is what happened recently for the Northlea Boys and Girls Grade 7 and 8 hockey team. Led by coaches John Ellis and Jeff Maysuik, the team captured the TDESAA Grade 8 district championship. Facing adversity throughout the season, the team came back against rival Bedford Park to win 3-2 in a thrilling shootout. Congratulations to all the players, parents and coaches. Go, Leaside, go!
Support the Team Ernesto blood bank drive
“My dad is a fighter. He is incredible. He is my hero,” says Angela Rubini. Ernesto Rubini, well known to many Leasiders, has been a long-time volunteer with the Leaside Soccer Association and a familiar face around the hockey rink. In 2021, he was diagnosed with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, and as part of his treatment has received numerous life-saving blood transfusions. Ernesto, who prior to his diagnosis was a regular blood donor, personally giving blood over 100 times, wanted to continue to give back. To that end, he has organized Team Ernesto to bring awareness to the importance of donating blood. A special clinic from May 9-11 will be held at Canadian Blood Services, 880 Warden Ave. To register: https://myaccount.blood.ca/en/join-team/TEAM0117037.
Have you noticed the mysterious bus stop?
As reported by Leaside resident Tim Fornie, the TTC bus stop on Eglinton Ave. outside Leaside High School seems to be, well, homeless. Ever since the development of the Leaside station, this stop appears to have moved around, a lot! Says Fornie: “First it vanished completely, only to reappear in several places, near the pedestrian traffic light to its present resting place near the Howard Talbot sign.” Seems like the bus drivers are confused as well, sometimes not seeing the moving target and driving by.
Wanna be a transplant ambassador?
Transplant ambassadors are kidney transplant recipients or living kidney donors who welcome the opportunity to share their personal experiences with people facing the need for a kidney transplant. Leasider Christine Pisapia, who donated one of her kidneys to her brother in 2014, has volunteered as an ambassador for more than five years. She is now the lead for the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP) at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Did you know that 1 in 10 Canadians has kidney disease? That’s four million people, with over 50,000 Canadians being treated for kidney failure. To learn more about the program visit: transplantambassadors.ca or kidneyalliance.ca.
Foundation grant supports Epilepsy Toronto hub
A $74,800 capital grant from the Ontario government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation has facilitated the creation of a new member-oriented office space for Epilepsy Toronto right here in Leaside.
Epilepsy Toronto’s mission is to promote independence and quality of life for people living with epilepsy and their families through support services, information, advocacy and public awareness. Located at 1425 Bayview Ave., the new community hub has numerous amenities tailored to enhance programs in support of individuals and families affected by epilepsy. The 10th Annual Purple Walk in support is scheduled for June 15th at College Park. Find out more at: Epilepsytoronto.org.