'Fill the Sleigh Campaign' by Kingston, Ont. couple brings in donations for the local Humane Society
A family in Kingston who like to go all out with their holiday decorating has added a new feature this year that’s drawing many people to their door; and it’s all about helping some furry friends.
Year after year, Pierre and Tiffany Fleury fill their lawn on Braelorne Place, in the west end of Kingston, with twinkling lights, Santas and snowmen, for people to come by and see.
“I like the lights, he likes the toys, together we make a pretty good pair I guess,” says Tiffany Fleury.
But it’s what sits in front of it all, in a vintage sleigh, that is drawing the Christmas cheer this year.
It’s being filled with donations for the Kingston Humane Society.
“We thought this year, why don’t we do something that will make a difference,” explains Pierre Fleury
They say after fixing up a vintage sleigh in the spring, they wanted to offer up a space for people to make donations to a charity that’s close to their hearts.
“We have a couple of cats that we’ve adopted from the humane society about 12 years ago. One has diabetes, so it’s quite expensive to make sure he has insulin and food that he requires every month, so we haven’t been able to donate what we normally have,” says Pierre. “So we just thought let’s give back to the humane society.”
The campaign is proving successful after just two weeks, with more than 500 pounds of food and $600 in cash donations made.
“Originally we said it was the ‘Fill the Sleigh Campaign’. We filled the sleigh on day one,” explains Tiffany. “We were absolutely shocked.”
“It’s been unbelievable,” says Pierre. “I was hoping to get about 400 pounds of food. That was my goal. And we’ve already exceeded that.”
Neighbours, friends and strangers, have been filling the sleigh day after day, with everything from dog food, to blankets, to cat toys.
Ava Duncan made a donation and said she loved the idea when she heard it.
“I’ve always loved animals it’s always been a passion of mine, so when I heard they were taking donations, I knew that I wanted to be able to donate.”
Leaving large bags of dog food, Trish Clair, says she wasn’t surprised to hear her neighbours were going the extra mile.
“I think they’re fantastic people on this street,” she says. “You know I think everybody jokes about having a mayor of the street, and if it was a mayor of the street it would be them. They’re the first to help every neighbour.”
Until the new year, the Fleury’s say visitors can made a donation at their home at 903 Braelorne Pl., off of Taylor Kidd Dr., or send an email to tkemp@yahoo.ca.
Tiffany Fleury says you can also make a donation directly online to the Kingston Humane Society.
“The response has been overwhelming, and the generosity of the people is just blows our mind,” she says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.