Helping Hands helps beautify local Community Living residence
July 30, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Community Living Fort Erie has 30 residential units across town that its clients call home.
And an annual event to improve their spaces at one chosen location brought out plenty of volunteerism and hard work on Tuesday.
Helping Hands is an initiative that has taken place for about 15 years within the organization, an occasion where people come out to beautify a local property.
Community Living Fort Erie staff member Kristine Huggins hard at work during the annual Helping Hands initiative on Tuesday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThis time around, an eight-unit residence on Taylor Road, near Oakes Drive, was the focal point.
Trees were trimmed, weeds were pulled, stone was laid to fill in gaps along a new concrete sidewalk that wraps around the rear of the building, and much more.
Manager of community engagement and development Margaret Fidler also explained that the Ridgeway Garden Club takes the lead on annual improvements at Community Living Fort Erie’s Maple Avenue facility in Ridgeway.
Volunteers Emmanuel Johnson, left, Lennon Campbell, and Bryson Lever taking a break on Tuesday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioThe local Canadian Tire store donated more than $300 in perennial plants and trees that were put in place on Tuesday.
Shisler Bros., a landscaping supply company based in Sherkston, donated more than $500 in decorative stone and gravel toward the project.
Fidler said it’s a “great team-building opportunity” for everyone involved, a group of 12 people made up of staff and volunteers.
“They’re doing a really beautiful job,” she said about two hours into the effort on Tuesday when Fort Erie Radio visited.
A gazebo was also recently installed at the property ahead of Tuesday’s work.
A team of volunteers, staff and clients at Community Living Fort Erie’s Helping Hands event on Tuesday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie RadioFidler, after more than 40 years with Community Living Fort Erie, will retire at the end of September.
Her replacement, Sheldon Samlall, was also at Tuesday’s effort getting his hands dirty and shared his anticipation for taking over in about two months.
He lives in St. Catharines and has worked for Community Living in North Halton for a number of years.
He said the Helping Hands project is important for clients and their families.
“We want to make sure the homes are functional, but that they are also liveable and beautiful,” he said.
“I’m pretty excited to see what this organization is all about and how I can assist in it,” he said.
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About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
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