We Thank Our Supporters

Words of gratitude from one of Shining Through’s founding fathers

It is my pleasure as one of the foundering fathers of Shining Through to acknowledge and honour the tremendous financial and moral support of our most generous donor, Brent and Sue Poulton, their company, St. Louis Bar & Grill, and their 29 franchise owners & locations throughout Ontario. It was back in 2001 when our the centre was organizing it’s first fundraising gala that I happened to visit one of the St. Louis Bar & Grill locations in Richmond Hill soliciting a small $20 gift certificate to auction. The locations manager said the franchise owner Brent Poulton was very passionate about helping children’s charities and was looking to adopt one that he could help. He did, in ways beyond our imagination. After a short introduction, Brent and the entire St. Louis family embraced our children and centre, and we’ve been grateful everyday since.

We are very proud to announce Brent & Sue Poulton and the St. Louis Bar & Grill franchise owners, managers, staff and wonderful customers have donated, through golf and baseball tournaments, in-store fundraisers and donations right out of the Poulton’s own pockets an amazing sum of $270,000. That money along with their support has been used to fund a new roof, computers, fencing to keep the kids safe, staff training and everything else that has made Shining Through one of the finest therapy centres for children with autism in Canada, if not the world. We have grown to provide vitally needed therapy from the original 6 children to now over 40 and we simply couldn’t have done it without their support.

Thank you from Philip, Matthew, Anthony, Josh, Noah, Nathan, Monica, Pinter, Julian and all the other children at the centre who’s lives have changed because of St. Louis Bar & Grill’s generosity,

Ted Leider

See video here

Thank you to Bonnie Moore and her daughters, franchise owners Emily and Delaney, for organizing another exciting baseball tournament for us.