Bev Baddeley, the little fundraising engine that could
If there’s anyone in Acton who can give a master class in fundraising, it’s Bev Baddeley.
Last year she raised more than $4500 for causes close to her heart: the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Acton Fire Fighters, Acton Santa Claus Parade, Salvation Army Christmas hampers, Terry Fox Run, her daughter Kim’s walk for cancer, Daughters of Knox, Ladies’ Aid and Knox’s Kim Petty Fund. And she says she’s off to a good start this year.
Pretty amazing results when the main item she sells are seasonal tea towels - St. Patrick’s, Easter, Christmas, BBQ, and many more - for which she charges $7 each.
Her towels are the type that hang on the fridge or stove handle. Bev crochets the tops, and her daughter Kim sources most of the towels.
“It is funny how I started making these towels,” Bev says. “My friend’s dog kept taking the towel off her stove. I told I had the answer to that and made her a towel. That fixed the dog taking the towel!”
Bev also makes slippers knit with three colours, dish cloths and baby afghans. “And this year I have made four Toronto Maple Leaf sweaters for the Rotary Auction in memory of my Brother Ron (McKnight, who had an ice pad named after him), Sick Kids, and the Legion fishing derby. Plus the Sobey’s auction to raise money for our high school.”
Sick Kids Hospital has a special place in Bev’s heart. One of her children, Jimmy, had a chronic health condition, and Sick Kids was there for her and husband Archie. Says Bev: “Last year would have been my son Jimmy’s 40th birthday. I have always supported Sick Kids. In the last three years, Dana Totty has opened her house for venders to come and sell and give what they felt. Dana opened her house because Nathan, one of her day care kids, had just turned 7, and between ages 1-4, he had two open heart operations and she just wanted to support the family. That is why I wanted to make $2000 for Sick Kids - to celebrate Jimmy’s birthday on May 31. I reached my goal and went with Nathan’s family to give the cheque to Sick Kids. It was a very overwhelming day. I hadn’t been in 28 years. A lot of changes.”
Thanks to Sick Kids, Bev and Archie had 12 and a half years with Jimmy, who had spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Bev has never forgotten all the help she received in those years, and now feels it’s time to pay it forward.
“Over the years, family, friends and my church were there for us when Jimmy was here. We had help for his equipment we couldn’t have afforded. Plus my husband’s work, Nortel, put a lift in our van for Jimmy. At our age now there is nothing we need, so if I can help in any way I will. I never thought in a million years people would buy my crafts.
“When it was the 25th anniversary of Jimmy’s passing, I wanted to buy a brass cross for St Paul’s Presbyterian in Bramalea where my kids grew up. We didn’t have the money to spend on it. My friend Bev invited me to go to Acton Trunk Sale run by Acton Rotary Club. I raised the $2500 I need to for the cross for St. Paul’s. It was a great celebration.”
You can find Bev’s pieces at various bazaars and sales around town. She also does brisk trade on her Facebook page. “I make something and post. It is amazing the people who come to pick up. Plus people in our building. Family friends.” Bev and Archie have even been known to deliver if they happen to be out and about on their errands.
How long will she keep doing it? “I’m not sure how long my hands will go. I knit and crochet til 3-4-5 am some nights, 10-15 hours a day depending on if I have orders. I never knew I had a talent. At the St. Patrick’s Sale, I think because I told them it all goes to charity, a few didn’t want their change.
“I love watching people trying to decided what one to pick, so they often buy two or three.
“I have towels for all seasons. St. Paddy’s is over so Easter is next.”
“I made 30 baby hats and 12 baby afghans that my friend took an orphanage in Mexico. I have also made 335 comfort blankets.”
Bev doesn’t seem about to slow down any time soon
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