The Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust was created to help people and make a difference – just like Olivia wanted to do with her life ♥ Join us on our mission!
As we begin 2026 we can’t help but think back to all the “great things!” done in memory of our Olivia 💜
Along with donations to community groups we provided 3 post-secondary scholarships to wonderful individuals destined to do their own great things.
Our annual silent auction and bowling event was a huge success. This fun-filled evening celebrates all the things Olivia loved – bowling, laughing with friends, spending money and eating tons of yummy snacks! This event enabled us to even more “great things!” for Olivia!
As always, wedonated back to school supplies and held our first ever Free Family Market which turned out to be even more than we could have imagined- this event more than anything else we have done over the last 10 years embodied Olivia, her compassion, kindness and empathy for others in need 💜. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
We want to thank everyone who donated, supported us through our fundraising and most of all volunteered at our events. We could not do this without your support – thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💜
We look forward to seeing what 2026 will bring us as we welcome it with open hearts and most of all, gratitude.
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.
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 💜
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.
We are thrilled to announce our Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust Scholarship receipts for 2025 📜
Please join us in congratulating Eli Turner of Auburn Drive High School and Lana Cushing of Woodlawn High School as our award recipients.
Eli and Lana have demonstrated exceptional attributes that more than qualify them for the scholarships. They have made their schools and communities better for having them in it and making it a welcoming place for all others to be as well.
Congratulations Eli and Lana. Your future is so bright and we look forward to seeing you on the next leg of your journey 🎓
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)
October 23 is Olivia’s birthday 🥳. If you knew her, you know her birthday wasn’t just a day – it was an event 🎉
To honour her birthday we hold our annual Compassion and Kindness Celebrates Olivia Day. This year she would celebrate 28 years so let’s make it a great one!
Wherever you are in the world you can participate by performing random acts of kindness and compassion in your community.
Watch our Facebook page for the event. Feel free to share your ideas on what you will do – be it a small gesture or a big one – we would love to hear from you 😊 you never know, your idea may inspire someone else and someone else and someone else…
Thank you to everyone who has made 2023 so memorable. We truly appreciate the kindness, encouragement and support we receive from our family, friends and supporters.
We wish you joy, happiness, health and peace in the New Year!
We look forward to continuing our mission of helping Olivia do “great things” in 2024 as we continue to help animals, our youth and those less fortunate in 2024 💥
As some of you know, Olivia loved school and especially loved shopping for schools supplies. Since we know how difficult this time of year can be for families who are already stretched thin with the rising costs of every day life, we can think of no better way than to help those families by donating supplies to take some of that burden from them.
Olivia’s Trust is thrilled to once again donate back-to-school supplies! We have been doing this every year since we began and this time we have donated $725 worth of supplies for all age levels and grades (special thank you to our supporters who donated specifically for this endeavour) 🙂
We want to wish all the kids heading back to school in the next few days a wonderful year of learning, enrichment and of course, fun 🙂
Smudge helped of course! (cat hairs have been sprinkled in for good luck 🍀)
The most wonderful time of the year is here as kids are heading back to school in a few weeks. However, for many families this is a very stressful and expensive time of year as well.
With the cost of every day life seemingly rising by the minute, we know the added stress of getting all the necessary back to school items may be out of reach. That’s where we aim to help out 🙂
If you are shopping and can afford to grab an item or two, please do so. Your simple act of kindness will benefit a student going back to school in September and possibly ease the burden on some families in your community.
The Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust, with the support of Tim Halman, MLA Dartmouth East will be a accepting donations at the Dartmouth East Constituency office at 73 Tacoma Drive (Suite 204). We can also accept donations at Jym Line Glassware Ltd. located at 23 Venture Crescent in Elmsdale or you can reach out to Dale via email (dale@livstrust.com) to make alternate arrangements.
Any donation is welcome and needed. If you cannot get out to purchase school supplies, consider a donation to Olivia’s Trust and let us do the shopping for you.
Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust 