First Nomination:
I would like to nominate Jennifer Carrati-Hill (aka Tala the clown) for this years holiday hero. Not only is she beautiful inside and out, she is also extremely talented as a clown that brings joy and laughter to people of all ages. Jennifer is kind,generous and always there to help. She is always giving back to her community, organizing events such as the mingle and jingle with Santa that raises money for local children’s charities. She is also a mother of two beautiful young children and a wife, as well as an amazing friend. If anyone one deserves this honor it would be her.
Second Nomination:
I'd like to nominate Jennifer Hill/Tala the Clown for Holiday Hero this year. She is most definitely a selfless giver.
Most recently, she has spent the past six months pulling together the 5th Annual Mingle and Jingle with Santa. What makes this fundraiser so different is that every single dollar that comes in goes directly to the charity that she chooses to support - not one dime goes into running the event. Each part of this event is either sponsored or donated.
Every year, she chooses a different charity and, in the past, has supported the RFDA, P.R.O. Kids, Precious Bundles, Friends of Olivia Foundation, and (this year) Blessings in a Backpack. This year, she raised over $5800 for the charity, along with almost 400 grocery bags and over 100 items of food.
For the kids, she had a bouncy castle, clowns, face painting, balloons, glitter tattoos, pictures with Santa, gifts from Santa, loot bags, food, colouring, crafts, a dance party, and play areas. For the adults, there was a spa (massage, manicures, hairstyling, makeup, hand care, and foot care), an adult retreat, a West Jet Raffle, other raffles, loot bags ,and lots of food! And, best part, it was all FREE! I don't know how she pulls it off...
She also does regular events as Tala the Clown, works two jobs, runs her own business, and takes care of her two very active kids.
When she's not in costume, one of her jobs is as the Manager of West Arthur Community Centre and she has done a great job in bringing the centre to life and representing the community! She has created Facebook groups where people can voice their opinions, suggest programming ideas, and volunteer for the many different events she has pulled together. She is trying to make sure there are events happening for all ages and interests and is doing a fantastic job of it!
Her other job is as the Client Services Coordinator at OHCOW where she assists people who's WSIB claims have been denied. Such a rewarding job to have and, I can speak from experience, she makes the process so much easier for all of her clients.
Every part of her life centers around helping others and I'd love to be able to recognize her for her efforts. I have volunteered with her in the past and she always makes everyone feel so appreciated. It is nice to be involved when she runs events because she always makes everyone so happy. She truly is a wonderful
person to know.
Third Nomination:
I'd like to nominate my wife, Jennifer Hill/Tala the Clown for Holiday Hero. I've never known anyone who puts others before herself quite like she does. She runs an annual fundraiser supporting local charities (the Mingle and Jingle with Santa, which raised $5800 this year alone) and giving children the chance to make great memories with their families.
She also throws herself into representing the community as she manages West Arthur Community Centre, bringing in programming that interests all ages. She always takes time to listen to everyone's input and puts together great things for everyone to do at the Centre.
She is well known in the community as Tala the Clown and makes a different in the lives of so many people. She also runs her own business, works two jobs, volunteers as often as she can, takes care of our two kids, somehow manages our schedules, and makes everyone around her feel valued. She's the only person I can think of who truly lives up to the title of Holiday Hero every day of the year.
