My name is Margaret Wallis-Duffy and I am the visionary behind the Better Together as ONE Movement which originated in Brampton Ontario but is now getting attention across the country. The Better Together as ONE Movement is committed to educating, empowering & inspiring all Canadians both locally and nationally to LIVE WELL at every age and stage of life!
We do this by bringing all levels of government, healthcare professionals, businesses and everyday people together with a mindset of collaboration to engage in discussions, look for innovative solutions to challenges and champion change with one goal in mind, to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities and our country.
As the founder of this movement and the owner of an award winning Integrative Health Clinic that recently celebrated 28 years in business, I have committed my career to doing my part to improve the health and well being of the communities that I work and live in. I have seen first hand the vital importance of everyone working Better Together as ONE!
This philosophy has NEVER been more important than now as we navigate through this global pandemic .
I was honoured 2 years ago to receive an International Woman’s Day & Waterfront Award for The Better Together as ONE movement and my commitment to preventative and integrative health as well as my passion for improving the health of our communities and their residents.
As a Mom of a Grade 12, 2020 Graduate, my heart is breaking as this global pandemic has prevented them from celebrating this special milestone, like the peers that have gone before them. They have been robbed of the fun of their proms, convocations and all of the celebrations that go along with it.
Therefore, I have put on my “Mama Bear” hat and decided to use our Better Together as ONE Movement as the vehicle to create an innovative yet safe campaign to acknowledge and celebrate the graduating class of 2020.
I recognize the challenges that communities & the school boards face and I appreciate their efforts to provide a virtual prom online however it doesn’t fill the gap of what our kids are mourning the loss of.
The graduates are excited to show off their beautiful dresses and smart looking suits and be celebrated by their family, friends and community in a SAFE way!
After many sleepless nights trying to figure out how to honour my daughter and all graduates in Canada, the idea of our BETTER TOGETHER AS ONE CANADA WIDE COMMUNITY NEIGHBOURHOOD PROM was born.
On a specified date and time, we want to encourage ALL Canadian graduates of 2020 to come outside of their homes onto their front lawns in their prom dresses and suits where they will be met by the clapping, cheers, pots and pan banging and perhaps some home-made signs made neighbours and family members as they are acknowledged and celebrated for their achievments by their community. Similar to the 7pm celebrations for our frontline healthcare workers, this special day will be reserved as a day of celebration for the future of our country.
Each community can bring their own creative flare to this event by encouraging collaboration of municipal governments, local businesses and residents to get involved and find ways (eg.make signs to put in their windows or perhaps offer discounts or coupons for the graduates) to help recognize and celebrate the graduating class of 2020.
We have asked for the support of EMS vehicles as they sound their sirens and honk their horns in front of their local high schools or on a parade through the streets of their local town.
Locally, here in my community of Halton Hills, we are organizing a parade of graduates in their gowns, caps and branded graduate masks on the same day as the Canada wide neighbourhood prom which would end at the two local high school football fields for a physical distancing aerial photo op of all graduates.
Our team is working on creating celebratory branded T-shirts for both the graduates and their families (sponsors are welcomed) that will be made available for purchase with a portion of the sales to be donated to the COVID relief fund or another local charity of choice. Stay tuned of find for details about purchasing.
We have reached out to our government to ask that they support us in proclaiming a DATE and TIME for this special event. It was met with a very positive response and we are hopeful to hear back from them soon so we can set a date when it is safe to do so. The safety of our children and communities is our TOP priority!
We plan on hosting a special episode on our Better Together as ONE Podcast/TV Show which will features some special guests who want to acknowledge our graduates while also sending out a friendly challenge to all provinces to follow our lead in Ontario and take part in this Canada neighbourhood prom.
We would welcome your help in reaching out to your local municipal government and community leaders to inform them about this event and your interest in participating in it. We need help spreading the news as we do not want any graduate to be left out.
