Chris Ecklund's Past Projects
2007 was an especially active year for Mr. Ecklund's work in the community. Below is a list of Hamilton area institutions, organizations and projects that have been the recipients of his generosity, as well as details about his numerous gifts and sponsorships. All professional services mentioned were provided free of charge.
1) City of Hamilton: Mr. Ecklund made one donation after another of money, goods, and professional services to the City of Hamilton as well as city-supported projects and activities.This includes:
- Donation of the Oskee Wheeler. In August 2007 Mr. Ecklund donated his motorcoach to the Hamilton Tiger Cats football team. Beautiful new decals were applied to the entire body of the coach, which was the last of its kind, having the end run of the free-breathing torque monster diesel engines. The gift was gratefully received by the team. The bus site can be visited at www.theoskeewheeler.com.
- Development of a marketing plan and accompanying website for 'WingFest', Canada's first ever chicken wing festival. Mr. Ecklund's staff were sent to Chicago and Buffalo to observe how those cities plan and promote their legendary 'fests'. To gather public support for a Hamilton WingFest and keep interest strong, Mr. Ecklund launched www.wingfest.ca, a members forum, and thriving Facebook group that includes prominent Hamiltonians as well as chicken wing lovers from all over the city. The boost that such an event would give to local tourism cannot be overestimated.
- Launching of Mr. Ecklund's own economic development initiative with the design, implementation, and ongoing development of " Your Canadian Connection" (www.yourcanadianconnection.ca) a unique website aimed at attracting American and overseas business to Hamilton. Mr. Ecklund has assembled a team of realtors, accountants, immigration lawyers, and other business professionals who will assist incoming entrepreneurs at every stage of the arrival process.
- Volunteering of Mr. Ecklund's time as a citizen appointee for the City of Hamilton advisory committee. Alex Moroz heads this committee in Parks development, and Mr. Ecklund has worked closely with him on Adopt A Park, a city beautification project, by providing advice, strategy assistance, and professional web design services.
- Ongoing meetings with city staff to implement and improve the Keep Hamilton Blooming Campaign. Mr. Ecklund is one of only three Platinum Sponsors for this program, which he intends to continue supporting via organization and design of a website.
- Mr. Ecklund is currently assisting city staff with the development of a Hamilton Neighbourhood Association. Modeled on his successful Allison Park Neighbourhood Association, this will be his biggest gift yet to the citizens of Hamilton, as community ties and pride will be strengthened.
2) Hamilton Public Events: Mr. Ecklund organized and funded several family-oriented public events in 2007. Such annual traditions include:
- Christmas Party at the Royal Canadian Legion. This event is attended by over 200 children every year. Mr. Ecklund donates all food, games, and prizes.
- Pumpkin Carving Contest. Another wildly popular event, attended by over 300 children who compete for the honor of carving the 'Scariest Pumpkin'.
- Easter Egg Hunt. Each year Mr. Ecklund donates over 20,000 chocolate eggs. Hundreds of excited kids run all over Allison Park with their baskets, searching for the sweet treasures.
- Canada Day Celebration. This event lasts for three days and is attended faithfully by over 1000 people. The kids' games, prizes, amusement rides, BBQ, and spectacular fireworks are all courtesy of Mr. Ecklund.
3) Hamilton Tiger Cats: In August 2007 Mr. Ecklund donated his personal motor coach to the City of Hamilton and the Tiger Cats. The bus received a stunning makeover in full team colors and was re-launched as the now famous Oskee Wheeler. The bus is on the road every day, thanks to a full-time driver engaged specifically for this purpose, making appearances at games and community events not only throughout Hamilton but all over Ontario. Thanks to new cameras, photo printers, and related accessories donated by Mr. Ecklund, every child who comes to see the Oskee Wheeler can have their picture taken with the bus and walk away with a free souvenir photo. The Oskee Wheeler even has its own website, thanks to its popularity with Ti-Cats fans and a generous donation of the time and expertise of Mr. Ecklund's private design team.
Mr. Ecklund continues to assist the Tiger Cats by advising the headquarters staff on marketing plans and promotional strategies. He is an active member of Mosca's Meanies, an executive group of team supporters, as well as the Black and Gold Club, an invitation-only group of Hamiltonians with a dual interest in team support and city betterment.
4) Allison Park: Mr. Ecklund volunteers his time and organizational expertise as an officer of the Allison Park Neighbourhood Association. He quickly turned it into the most active neighbourhood association in Hamilton, and supported its growth with a dynamic website that is regularly updated with community news and photos of public events. Mr. Ecklund also sponsors, organizes, and donates prizes for the annual Allison Park Christmas Lights contest and Halloween House Decorating Contest.
5) Hamilton Santa Claus Parade: Mr. Ecklund threw his support behind this beloved and long-standing city tradition by donating a festive new website and Facebook group. He arranged for the Oskee Wheeler to take part in the parade, arousing pride and enthusiasm in the hearts of Ti-Cats fans who lined the route or witnessed the spectacle on TV. Response was so positive that Mr. Ecklund went on to enter the bus in the Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade as well as the parades hosted in Grimsby, Welland, Burlington, and Niagara on the Lake.
6) United Way of Hamilton: In addition to providing strategic advice on marketing and fund-raising issues, Mr. Ecklund donated the use of his personal web design and search engine marketing team to co-ordinate a new website. He also supplied a motorcycle as the grand prize for the United Way's first annual charity ride.
7) Living Clean TV: Mr. Ecklund volunteered his time as Executive Producer of "Living Clean", a TV show aimed at people in recovery. It is the only show of its kind in Canada. In addition to donating a website, members forum, and Facebook group, he also works diligently behind the scenes to ensure that "Living Clean" reaches the widest possible local audience. This is an extremely important initiative, as Hamilton has many residents who need the support services that the program provides. In recognition of the valuable work done by the show's organizers, Mr. Ecklund sponsored a private suite at a Tiger Cats game for its volunteers and supporters.
8) Hamilton Heritage Projects: Mr. Ecklund has dedicated much time, money, and professional services to the preservation of Hamilton's historic past. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Design and maintenance of Auchmar.Info , a website intended to educate Hamiltonians about the history of Auchmar, former residence of the Honourable Isaac Buchanan. The site also revisits Buchanan's illustrious career. Mr. Ecklund sent a research team to examine the holdings of the Hamilton Public Library's Special Collections, so that an accurate re-construction of the life of one of Hamilton's most famous business leaders could be accomplished. One researcher even went all the way to Buchanan's birthplace in Scotland and consulted the records held by the Buchanan Society there. Mr. Ecklund is currently working to have Auchmar designated as a Federally significant site, which will allow the city to receive funding for its preservation.
- Design and maintenance of mineralsprings.ca, which revisits the history of Mineral Springs hamlet and the surrounding area. Like Auchmar.Info, this site receives traffic from all corners of the globe and even attracted the attention and support of those descended from early Mineral Springs residents! Mr. Ecklund and his staff held meetings with officials from the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Fieldcote Museum, thereby spearheading a group effort to build an Internet-based repository of photos, publications, and memorabilia pertaining to the community's past. A similar treatment is being planned for the adjacent community of Sulphur Springs.
- Mr. Ecklund is currently planning to donate $10,000 for new fireproof vaults for Fieldcote, as its holdings include original and irreplacable documents.
9) Hamilton Arts Scene: Mr. Ecklund launched a new project, Ecklund Art Gallery, which is an online, virtual gallery intended to present the work of Hamilton artists to a global audience. He has commissioned some of these artists to produce unique pieces depicting famous local landmarks and other varieties of Hamilton scenery. The website at www.ecklundartgallery.com and its accompanying blog has quickly become a popular resource for news about the arts community as well as a talent showcase. During a recent visit to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Mr. Ecklund purchased eight paintings by local artists and hung them in his downtown office, where they are seen by public officials who visit the premises almost daily.
10) City Kidz: This organization, which provides much-needed support and services to Hamilton's inner city youth, received from Mr. Ecklund $8000 in funding for their big event at the opening of the Red Hill Creek Expressway. Mr. Ecklund also provided the Oskee Wheeler for the occasion, and bid generously at their auction.
11) Sick Kids Hamilton: Children from Sick Kids had the chance to see a Tiger Cats game from a private suite that Mr. Ecklund provided free of charge. Sick Kids was also the recipient of a $5000 donation.
12) Yard Sale for the Cure: Mr. Ecklund was responsible for bringing this national charity event, which increases Breast Cancer Awareness and raises funds for research, to Hamilton. He organized and hosted the yard sale in Allison Park, drawing local and national media attention. Rachael Smith, the event's founder, was brought from Toronto by Mr. Ecklund for an inspiring on-air appearance with local radio hosts Sunni and Hayes. At its successful conclusion, Mr. Ecklund personally presented a cheque to the Juravinski Cancer Clinic.
13) Canadian Military: In 2007, Mr. Ecklund donated 2400 Tim Horton's coupons during the drive for the troops conducted by MP Chris Charlton. He bought one coupon for each Armed Forces member serving overseas.
14) Royal Canadian Air Cadets: As a former cadet, Mr. Ecklund is a longtime and dedicated supporter of this institution. In 2007 he announced that the RCAC of the Hamilton region would receive a surprise donation of their own aircraft.
15) Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program: Mr. Ecklund donates his time as a peer counselor to Hamilton lawyers and members of the local judiciary. This is a cause he has proudly supported for over ten years.
16) Operation Clean Sweep: Mr. Ecklund helped to organize and sponsor this annual event intended to clean up trash in Wards 7 and 8.
17) Team Canada Bus: This is a major gift from Mr. Ecklund to Canadian citizens everywhere. It is his intention to donate a second luxury motor coach, which will be wrapped in a Canada-themed banner and travel across the country to raise local awareness of and support for our athletes. A press conference will accompany the unveiling of the bus in Hamilton.
18) Refugee Sponsorship: Mr. Ecklund is a longtime sponsor of Kosovo refugee families. He began supporting three families eight years ago and continues to provide any necessary assistance to one of them. Since he began getting involved, he has helped over 1000 refugees settle in Hamilton and find housing and jobs.
19) McQueston High Level Bridge: The pillars on this local landmark were originally meant to contain statues of historic and influential Hamiltonians. Mr. Ecklund's interest in honoring the leading citizens of the city's past has motivated him to bring this unfinished project to completion.
20) Additional public donations, gifts, and sponsorships:
- Over fifty sports fans, young and old alike, were provided with an end zone tent at the Labour Day game at Ivor Wynne Stadium.
- Mr. Ecklund purchased seven original works of art at the Rotary Club of Hamilton's annual charity function, thereby providing a generous financial contribution to local charities.
- $5000 donation presented during the first annual SPCA fundraiser at the Warplane Heritage Museum.
- During the Purolator Drive for Hunger, Mr. Ecklund donated over 1,000 pounds of food for local food banks.
- Donated $5000 to Crime Stoppers of Hamilton.
- Sponsorship of up to five hockey teams per year in Hamilton.
- Donation of time and expertise as a member of Chief of Police Brian Mullan's board.
Kosovo refugees support organizer and sponsor
I remember the day exactly. I was working late at my office. it was a Friday night, maybe six or seven in the evening. The year? 1999.
I was listening to the radio, and heard a report that about 700 refugees from Kosovo were now here in Hamilton, boarded up at the City Motor Hotel. Now, this kind of event does not happen every day here in Hamilton or anywhere else in the world for that matter, so I thought that I would take a drive down to the Hotel to see what was going on. Little did I know that that day would change my life the way I knew it.
Pulling into the hotel off of Queenston at the traffic circle, all I could see was a maze of people. There were people everywhere, it was like a convention was in town except that kids were running all over the place, and from what some people were wearing, you knew they where from the “ old country”.
I later found out that I made quite the entrance, which is probably why people came to talk to me. Here I was in a pearl black brand spanking new Mercedes, so the kids and adults were wondering who this stranger in the nice car was. (Later on I found out that many thought different things about me, as back home a young guy in a new Mercedes could only mean one thing.)
A young girl approached me, and we started to chat. Her name was Elvira. I asked her if there was anything that they needed. She replied that the children might appreciate some toys, or stuffed animals. So off I went to the Amity downtown to get some stuffed animals. I thought it would be a quick one-off trip and then I would be done.
When I got to the Amity, I saw that they had lots of toys and lots of stuffed animals. Now those who know me, know that my motto is “Go BIG or Go Home.” I can never do anything on a small scale, and when I see that a job needs to be done, I jump in… with both feet and then some. If people stand in my way, I push them aside. Most people know by now that when I get my mind and heart set on something, there is no stopping me. Lead, Follow or get out of the way!
So, what did I do at the Amity?
I bought every single stuffed toy they had. Huge Garbage bags full, my car was stuffed to the roof, back seat front seat and trunk. (More on the to be Mercedes-Benz hauler later…)
Off I went, driving back to the Hotel. It was now getting dark, but the kids must have known I was coming back, because they seemed to be waiting for me. ( This I learned after, that they affectionately started to call me “ Santa Claus” as every time I showed up I was bearing gifts of some kind.) When I opened the trunk of the car, all the kids started to look into my trunk, and as soon as I took out the first bag, they could see what I had and they got very excited. No sooner had I opened the first bag, and taken the first stuffed animal out, than the kids start to scream shouts of joy. There was lots of gleeful yelling and screaming ( all in a language I did not understand!)
One moment will stand out forever in my mind. I gave a small boy a small brown teddy bear, and he hugged that like it was his all along, and that he just got re-united with a long lost friend.
At that time I had no idea that they had nothing except the clothes on their backs. Literally, they came to our City and Country with nothing, maybe a small suitcase with clothes that they picked up along the way, but a stuffed animal was something that was a luxury at this point in their lives, and not something that parents could even afford if they wanted to.
That little boy got to me so much, just by watching him, I started to cry myself, I had to back away from the car and just let the kids help themselves, it was like bees on honey, a site that I would see repeat itself at least a hundred times over the next few months. That moment was all that I needed to answer the question that I am sure anyone would have asked themselves, what can I do and what more can I do for these people. That little boys tears was the answer to my question.
That brand new pearl black Mercedes was to become a u-haul for the next 6 months. I hauled approx 75 bicycles in the back seat, thousands of pounds of clothes, food, and personal items, I can't even begin to remember everything that I did. At one time I rented 5 buses and carted them all down to Niagara Falls and Marineland one day, that was a big day!
I opened up City Hall and had an emergency meeting with anyone who was looking to sponsor a family, as Hamilton was not taking care of its allotment of refugees, and I ended up with 3 families myself. For the next 8 years and to this date I am still involved with them, although now to a much less degree than what I was in the first 5 years or so. It was an extremely trying experience, a great learning experience, I learned so much about them, their culture, my outlook on life changed dramatically.
I could and maybe should write a book about this, it was a very important time and part of my life, we are so lucky to live here in Canada.
Ice Storm Relief
This is what started my “Giving Back to the Community”. It was the event that changed my life as I know it. I remember the feelings of guilt, and anger at the same time that I was hearing about everyone down East in Ontario and Quebec and what was happening to the lives.
I can't remember how it all happened, but I decided that something needed to be done, (meaning I needed to do something), so I went off and collected my chainsaw. I also bought a case of bar oil and even a new (used) generator from Marsh brothers in Ancaster.
The City of Hamilton was sending work crews down with equipment, so I collected all my goods, and brought them down to the City Yard at Chedoke. That was the last I saw of that equipment for some time, (I got it back later), but I still felt like I could and should do more.
How I ended up in Buffalo is hard to remember, but I ended up doing a food drive at the Armouries there. I was there for around five days, and ended up with a Tractor Trailer full of goods.
This turned into more of a Political event than anything. All three TV stations covered the event. There was also radio coverage. It was a very emotional time also- I had people come and drop off bags of groceries, crying all the while.
Doug Flutie also was being traded to the Buffalo Bills, and everyone was asking about him, and what I thought of him!
The media would ask me all sorts of questions about Free Trade and the sorts of things they like to talk about. One asked me if I thought that there was still a “REAL BORDER” between our two countries! I recall that there really wasn’t: people and goods passed freely on a daily basis, and with each passing day, it seemed to get easier!
When I look back at that statement and day, do I ever wish we could go back to pre 9-11 days. I had everyone involved in this: Canada Customs, US Customs, our Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, the Buffalo Mayor's Office, the Red Cross, the Army, all the media outlets, the newspapers. Man it was an intense five days! A trucking firm even donated a driver and a truck to haul the goods that I collected.
When I showed up one morning at the armouries in Buffalo to begin the new day, I saw the Tractor Trailer driver sleeping behind the wheel. I tried to wake him up but could not do it; luckily he woke up on his own! It turned out that this driver lived in Hemmingford, Southern Quebec, which was the final destination of the goods, and that he lost a lot of stuff in his house due to busted pipes and flood damage. I had just over a hundred dollars cash that someone gave me in Buffalo (American money that somebody just walked up and plopped it in my hands and said “ here”). I thought that no other person deserved it more than that driver did, so I gave him the cash, and we loaded the trailer up. Turns out that he drove all night, he was “over-clocked” so he made one trip through the states, and one through Canada, to stay “legal”. My heart went out to this guy; he was just recently married as well.
There was one super emotional story that I remember well. I was staying at the hotel which is now called the Adams Mark Buffalo, which was right across the street from Channel 2 News. My phone rang- it was a reporter who told me that while they were at the armouries filming the collection of goods, their cameraman filmed the bags being loaded in the 5 ton truck that we were using for collection. Imagine all the bags etc, being collected, and amongst them was a clear plastic bag with a blanket inside. A lady was sitting at home watching the news, and saw this blanket inside this bag. She immediately recognized it as the very blanket that she knit while sitting at her mothers bedside many many years ago, while the mother was dying of cancer. The blanket was among several items stolen from their cottage in the Cattaraugus, which is where Ellicottville ski hill is. She said that as the years passed she found several of the missing items at garage sales and flea markets. But never this cherished blanket.
Now remember, that this lady is talking to me over the phone while I am in my hotel room. She described the blanket to me in detail, told me it was hand knit, told me the colours, etc. She offered to buy and bring down a brand new duvet the next day, if she could get her precious family heirloom back. I obviously agreed, getting caught up in the emotion as well. She then changed her mind, saying that the people down East needed it better than she did, but I would have nothing to do with that. I told her to come on down, it was hers and she deserved to have it back. Turns out she lived a couple hours' drive away, but agreed and would see me tomorrow.
The next day I made a beeline to the Armouries and sought out that bag, which was now buried underneath mountains of other bags. The Army was very helpful in that they “ volunteered” several soldiers to help out. They must have thought that I was nuts when I asked them to clear the truck out and go through each and every bag till we found the clear one. After awhile the clear bag was finally located. I quickly took the blanket out and it did indeed match exactly the pattern and description that the woman had provided.
A couple hours later the lady showed up, with a brand new duvet that was easily worth several hundred dollars. Her emotions got the better of her and she burst into tears at finally getting back the blanket back that she knit on her mother’s deathbed over 20 years previously. I to started to well up, it was a very emotional time, I could not have been happier to re-unite her with this precious family heirloom.
That story sticks out as something deeply touching, and something you couldn't have imagined happening the way it did. It was a fitting tribute to what people can do during times of crisis and how we are brought together. God works in mysterious ways.
The next year, at the Canadian Consulate General’s office in Buffalo, we had a reception for all those involved. It brought together those who helped out in this effort, and was a fitting closing to everything that was done. Our Consulate organized it all, and it was a very nice ceremony indeed.
Not to be outdone though, a few months later I made a surprise announcement at an event in Hamilton attended by who else…but our Consulate General himself, Mr. Mark Romoff. I presented him with a plaque on behalf of all Canadians as a grateful acknowledgement of the fine work that our Consulates do around the world each and every day.
About 5 years after the event, I decided to make a phone call to the township offices down in Hemmingford to see how they were getting along, and to tell them who I was. When they learned that I was behind the truck load of supplies, you should have heard their voices, because they had no idea where the supplies came from, they thought that it came from a church group or something!
Needless to say they were very thankful! I ended up receiving calls from the City’s Mayor and the township's Mayor shortly after that, a nice plaque came in by courier, and also a free invite to come and play golf at any time!
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