2025 Holiday Family Free Market 🎄

Posted on by Liv's Trust

This gratitude post is all about how a community of family, friends and volunteers came together to create a most magical holiday event on November 22.

It all started the Fall of 2024 when we had the idea of holding a Free Market for families who may be struggling with the added expense the holidays can bring.

With nothing more than a vague idea, no venue and no other community involvement, we set out to make it happen! We first reached out to our friends and family to start setting aside new or nearly new items that we could offer to potential guests.

We then asked Tim Halman, MLA for Dartmouth East and Brad McGowan, MLA for Cole Harbour for their support – and they were all in! Next we had to find a venue. After many options turned out to not work for one reason or another, we were put in contact with a most wonderful gentleman named Patrick Donahoe at St. Luke’s Anglican Church. We met Patrick and discovered our goals for supporting the community aligned perfectly, so he offered the church hall. (He also got Giant Tiger and Superstore to donate cookies!) This turned our idea into an event!

Next we contacted Woodlawn High principal, Craig Campbell. He enlisted their guidance department, social workers and SchoolsPlus workers to create a list of families they felt would be receptive to an invitation. And off we went!

So, on Saturday as families nervously walked in with their invitation in hand, maybe a little skeptical at first, possibly apprehensive, we set to work to make sure they felt welcomed, respected and above all else, happy they took a chance to attend.

It was pure joy to all the volunteers who watched those same families go from nervous and apprehensive, to relaxed (some even dancing along to the Christmas music 🎶 ) as they shopped their way through the wide selection of items to choose from. They grabbed refreshments and treats, enjoyed the kids corner and face painting and on their way out we wrapped their treasures with love before sending them on their way to enjoy the rest of their day.

As you can see from this long post, none of this was possible without the help and commitment from so many others. From Tim, Lucie (and family), Emily, and Brad to Craig, Lara, Danita and Jillian, to Patrick and all our volunteers this weekend, Lilly, Teyah, Will, Georgia, Courtnee, Melanie, Aly, Jennifer, Danielle and Kelly and so many more that donated items – we are so grateful to each and every one of you for making this event so very special.

We are already looking forward to next year 🎄

2025 Compassion and Kindness Celebrates Olivia Day!

Posted on by Liv's Trust

October 23rd will be Olivia’s 29th birthday 🎉

To honour and remember Olivia we invite you to participate in our annual Compassion and Kindness Celebrates Olivia Day!

Wherever you are in the world please join us by performing random acts of compassion and kindness in your community. Your act can be big or small – just remember Olivia while you do it and share her story when you can.

If you are looking for a way to participate but aren’t quite sure what to do, please consider donating to Olivia’s Trust to help us out with our Free Market initiative as your random act. You can reach out via our website, Facebook or email dale@livstrust.com.

Follow our Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust Facebook page for event updates 💜

DONATIONS NEEDED

Posted on by Liv's Trust

Olivia’s Trust is collecting new and very gently used items to host our first “Free Market”. This event is being created to help selected struggling families this coming holiday season. We are providing items for all ages and genders so any items are welcome. (Donations can be accepted up to November 19, 2025.)

We are also asking for donations of gift wrap, bags, ribbons, bows, tags, tissue paper, etc. so we can send our families home with beautifully wrapped treasures for their loved ones.

Help us make the coming holiday season a little easier for some families who can use it the most ❤️

Please see the attached flyer for drop off locations or to arrange pick up of your generous donation.

Please share!

School supplies aplenty 📓📚📐📖

Posted on by Liv's Trust

What does over $1,000 worth of school supplies looks like? Check out the images below 👇

Each year the need grows and we recognize that. These supplies are all destined to reach kids in our community who will most benefit – and we couldn’t be happier to be able to provide this donation on behalf of Olivia’s Trust.

Olivia would be thrilled 🤩

Back-To-School Supply Drive 2025

Posted on by Liv's Trust

It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year, but here we are and there are many, many families struggling to afford back-to-school supplies for their kids. This is where we, as a community can step up to help those that need it 😊

Once again we are partnering with Tim Halman’s office (MLA for Dartmouth East) to collect and distribute these much needed school supplies. Olivia’s Trust will be buying items that are most needed and sought after to fill any gaps in the donations.

If you are out and about shopping or picking up school supplies and have the means to add a few extra items, you can donate those items to us for distribution to those in need.

You can drop off donations to Tim’s office at 99 Main Street in Dartmouth or at Jym Line Glassware at 23 Venture Crescent in Elmsdale. If you are unable to travel to donate, reach out to us on Facebook or by email (dale@livstrust.com) or call 902-880-6848 and we can make arrangements for a volunteer to come pick up your donation.

Let’s make the 2025-2026 school year memorable for our kids in all the best ways possible 🙂

🎉 Happy New Year 🎉

Posted on by Liv's Trust

Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust family and volunteers wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best in 2025!

Thank you for your continued support over the last 10 years – none of this is possible without your donations, following our social media, coming to our events and sharing our work – we are beyond grateful.

We know 2025 will bring “great things!” We are already planning fundraising events and ways to give back to the community that Olivia would approve of 💜

🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄

Posted on by Liv's Trust

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate 🎄 we hope you get to spend time with the ones you love and keep those missing in your hearts.

We are so grateful for the support of our family and friends – both old and new. You have this a memorable year and we thank each and every one of you.

Christmas may be tomorrow, but we are already planning for next year. So, if you happen to receive a gift you can’t use or are lucky enough to receive too much, consider donating your items to us for our Free Market event next December. We will be collecting items all year long and will provide more details in 2025

Thank you again from Olivia’s Trust 🎄

2024 Online Fundraising Auction is LIVE

Posted on by Liv's Trust

Our first ever online fundraising auction is live! Let’s make this a success by sharing and bidding generously. The auction will run until Sunday, December 1 at 7 pm.

There are over 100 great items up for grabs. This is a fantastic way to kickstart your holiday shopping. If you are the successful bidder it’s a win-win, you get your item and we get to continue to help Olivia do “great things!” like our recent $1,000.00 donation to the Santa’s for Seniors program 🎄

Click the link below to participate . (All details are under the AUCTION photo)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.972576618246915&type=3

Upcoming event

Posted on by Liv's Trust

Olivia’s Trust is going to host an online auction in November.

We will be accepting new and gently used items for the next month, so if you have an item or gift certificate you think would be suitable, please consider us.

Items can be dropped off at 23 Venture Crescent in Elmsdale or 16 Brigadoon Avenue in Dartmouth or by reaching out to dale@livstrust.com to arrange a pick up.

We are excited to host this new fundraising adventure and look forward to keeping everyone updated on start times and how to participate – so make sure to stay tuned 😊

2024 Annual Bowling Tournament and Silent Auction Extravaganza 🎳

Posted on by Liv's Trust

Dust off your balls and go to the ATM as we get ready for an action packed night of bowling, shopping, food and fun when teams of bowlers go head-to-head for bragging rights at our fundraising extravaganza!

When: Saturday, May 25, 2024 Where: Woodside Bowlarama Time: 7 pm bowling begins Cost: $25 per person (includes shoe rental) 5 per team

Bowling not your thing? That’s okay, come out for the fun of our silent auction, bake and plant sale, 50/50, sale of Olivia’s Signature Tree items and draw for our anticipated beer/wine/cider/spirit board 😊

Contact us to book your team of 5 for the tournament (lanes are limited and go quickly). Remember to bring your wallets and your sense of fun as we do all the things Olivia loved to do.

This annual fundraiser for the Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust enables us continue our mission of helping Olivia do “great things!”