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Caledon East’s Rock Garden Farms fundraising in memory of Orangeville teen

June 30, 2022   ·   0 Comments

By Zachary Roman

A local farm is fundraising to help kids go to summer camp and enroll in recreational sports and activities.

On July 3, a portion of the proceeds of all strawberry sales at Rock Garden Farms in Caledon East will be donated to Caledon Community Services’ Kidz in Caledon initiative.

“Summer should be a time for fun. However, for children and families living in poverty, it is a time of worry and increased struggle,” says Caledon Community Services.

Kidz in Caledon is an initiative to ensure Caledon children are not left out of summer camps or organized sports. It also ensures children have the nutritious food they need to enjoy the aforementioned activities so they can make friends and memories.

Rock Garden Farms manager Margaret Galati is fundraising for Kidz in Caledon in memory of Orangeville teen Edward Malette-Matthews, who was killed in a car crash in 2020 when he was just 16.

“He was… a lovely soul, an old soul,” said Galati.

She explained after the tragic accident Malette-Matthews’ mom came to Rock Garden Farms looking for flowers for her son’s burial site. “I gave her flowers and I gave her strawberries… I just said, our prayers are with you,” said Galati.

This year, Edward’s mom returned and tried to give money to Galati for her to donate to a charity, as a way of thanking her. Galati at first didn’t want to take it, but then thought of doing an event in Edward’s honour.

“He always helped everyone… he was a doer and he was always trying to help,” said Galati. “I thought he would probably want to see another young soul go and do something fun who just [isn’t] as privileged. He’s that type of a person, he would be right in there trying to help somebody else… we thought Kidz in Caledon would represent him.”

Rock Garden Farms offers u-pick strawberries as well as the strawberries it has for sale.

Proceeds from both will be going to Kidz in Caledon during the July 3 event in memory of Malette-Matthews.


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