Back-to-school Supplies โœ๏ธ๐Ÿ“š

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.

Oliviaโ€™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) ๐Ÿ™‚

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 ๐Ÿ™‚

Smudge helped of course! (cat hairs have been sprinkled in for good luck ๐Ÿ€)

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED

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. Thatโ€™s where we aim to help out ๐Ÿ™‚

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 Oliviaโ€™s Trust and let us do the shopping for you.

Letโ€™s make this year amazing for our students ๐Ÿ˜Š

2023 Scholarship Recipients ๐ŸŽ“

The Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust would like to formally announce the recipients of Oliviaโ€™s Scholarship!

Congratulations to Caelan DeViller, a student at Drumlin Heights Consolidated School. Caelan is planning to attend university to study sciences in pursuit of a career as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.

Congratulations to Jacqueline Steele, a student at Hants East Rural High , Jacqueline plans to attend university to study a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Climate and Environment.

Thank you both for the exceptional volunteer work in your communities to make them a more inclusive and safe place for all. We appreciate you taking the time to learn about Olivia and understanding why this scholarship exists.

We truly hope these scholarships help you achieve your goals! Best of luck in the future – youโ€™ve earned it ๐Ÿ™‚

Drum roll pleaseโ€ฆ

The 2023 Bowling Tournament and Silent Auction Extravaganza was a huge success! Together with all our volunteers, bowlers and bidders we raised a whopping $6,504!

We have so many to thank for making this event possible. From the very generous donations of items for the silent auction to the bake table and of course the very popular booze board (congratulations to Lorraine for winning ๐Ÿ˜‰). We could not be more grateful!

More than anything it was just wonderful to see longtime supporters and people newly introduced to Oliviaโ€™s Trust coming together to do all her favourite things – bowling, shopping and eating ๐Ÿ™‚

This event is our largest fundraiser and it gives us the ability to continue on our mission of helping Olivia do โ€œgreat things!โ€

SAVE THE DATE

We are beyond excited to announce we are holding our “Annual” Bowling Tournament and Silent Auction fundraiser on Saturday, May 27!

This is such a fun event filled with bowling. bidding, food, laughter and joy. You don’t have to bowl to bid and there is much more going on to keep you engaged while the tournament and silent auction take place. We will also have a bake sale, 50/50, drawing for prizes and of course, Olivia’s Signature Tree items will be up for sale too.

Watch for our Facebook event to pop up in your feed to get more details and book your lane for this epic fundraiser for the Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust. Remember, lanes book quickly.

We are accepting donations for our silent auction – please reach out to dale@livstrust.com or through the Facebook page.

Can’t wait to see you all there!

2023 Scholarship applications

Are you a student graduating high school this year and plan to attend post-secondary education? Is so, consider applying for our 2023 Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust Scholarship.

Oliviaโ€™s scholarship is not based on your academic achievements, it determined by the quality of your character. Tell us what you have done for your school and community to make it a more inclusive and welcoming environment for others.

In order to apply you must be a Nova Scotia high school student applying for post-secondary education. Please write an essay to tell us about yourself and your efforts to make the world a better place. You must include at least 2 references. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2023.

Send your essay and references by email to dale@livstrust.com or by mail to: 23 Venture Crescent, Elmsdale, NS B2S0B1

Christmas Cards for Northwood 2022 ๐ŸŽ„

Today, December 10, Oliviaโ€™s Trust is dropping off 120 beautiful Hallmark greeting cards with a hand-written sentiment for the Christmas Cards for Northwood initiative.

Oliviaโ€™s Nanny Pye was a nurse at Northwood and remembered many residents did not have family to send them cards or gifts so this initiative is very dear to our hearts on many levels.

If you would like to participate, there will be a Jack 92.9 booth today outside the Rogers store at Mic Mac Mall from 10-1 or you can drop off at at Rogers stores, Jack 92.9 or Northwood offices (check out the Jack 92.9 page for more detailed information) ๐ŸŽ„

10 Years

How do you even begin to explain the loss of a child? You canโ€™t. Itโ€™s as simple as that. There are no wordsโ€ฆ

Even after 10 years I still canโ€™t articulate how Oliviaโ€™s death has affected me, her family, her friends or those close to her. Itโ€™s just not possible.

What I can tell you is how much she changed the lives of those who knew her during the 15 years we got with herโ€ฆ. Simply put, she changed our lives for the better.

All those who know her through reading or hearing โ€œOliviaโ€˜a Storyโ€ have also been changed. Iโ€™m told time and again that they share her story with others. She lives on in the hearts and minds of every single person she touched in whatever form. We hope Oliviaโ€™s kindness, compassion and lack of judgement is an example to everyone.

We can only hope that we have that much of an impact with the lives we live and the way we make others feel. Try to help in your community when and where you can. Reach out to others in need even when they donโ€™t ask for help. Share what you have. Itโ€™s amazing what small gestures can have the largest impact.

In short, be like an Olivia โ™ฅ๏ธ

2022 Scholarship

Are you, or do you know of a student graduating in 2022 who plans to pursue a post-secondary education? If so, they may qualify for the Olivia Jollota Memorial Trust Scholarship.

Oliviaโ€™s scholarship is not based on your academic achievements, it is based on the quality of your character. How have you helped your school and your community become better places to be? Show us in an essay what you do to be inclusive, accepting, non-judgemental, kind and compassionate – like Olivia did ๐Ÿ’œ

In addition to your amazing essay, please have two teachers/community members provide a letter of reference then email your application to dale@livstrust.com or ask your school to send it in. Best of luck to all who apply!

NOTE: Deadline for applications is May 15, 2022 for consideration.