SUDBURY—Trucks filled with turkeys made their way to Rainbow Schools in Sudbury and Lively on December 11, thanks to the kindness of Matt Stillwaugh (of Manitoulin Island) and Matt’s Plumbing and community partners in Sudbury. The turkeys are being distributed to families just in time for the holidays.
The Turkeys for Families initiative was launched by Mr. Stillwaugh in 2019 in an effort to ensure that no family went without a turkey for the holidays. “We know some families feel the stress of the season. Once again, we reached out to our partners for support. This year, 300 turkeys will be distributed to 300 families.”
“I am from the Island (Manitoulin),” Mr. Stillwaugh told The Expositor last week. While he was born in Toronto, “I moved with my family to the Island when I was two months old. My parents, Eric and Liz (Stillwaugh) still live in South Baymouth.”
After completing his school studies, “I ended up in Toronto, working in construction,” said Mr. Stillwaugh. “Then I opened a plumbing business in Toronto, and then reopened the business in Sudbury so that we could be closer to home.” He had also spent two years living and working in Sioux Lookout.
“I have been in Sudbury/Lively for over 20 years and my business (Matt’s Plumbing) has been in business just short of 20 years,” said Mr. Stillwaugh. As for the annual turkey giveaway, “I just thought it up one day and how it would be the right thing to do. Sudbury and Lively has been so generous to us over the years, and this is a way to give back. We are hoping to bring this program to Manitoulin Island in the future as well.”
Mr. Stillwaugh said he leaves it up to the Rainbow District School Board (RDSB) to reach out to the schools who provide the information on families that need some support and help at this time of the year.
“Every year we reach out to other businesses to help out and they do every year,” said Mr. Stillwaugh. Three hundred turkeys were delivered to the schools in the afternoon.
Mr. Stillwaugh usually provides between $15,000-20,000 for the turkeys, “while a couple of my business suppliers pitch in $2,500 each year. “For the first few years we did this under the radar, I was doing the turkeys for families program, and a gentleman working for me said we should make this more public and let everyone know we are supporting families with the turkeys and from there we just ran with it.”
“It just makes me feel good to help out the community in this way,” stated Mr. Stillwaugh.
“My wife and I are on the Island a good part of the year; we bought White Haven Cottages from (parents-in-law) Bill and Linda Strain. This summer will be our 10th year running this business. And in February we will be expanding and opening up a new small, plumbing business in Little Current. My wife Laurie and I, who is a Haweater, live in Lively the rest of the year.”
“I will be driving a silver trailer filled with turkeys slated for a number of schools,” said Mr. Stillwaugh. “I look forward to meeting all those who are helping with the distribution.”
The turkeys will be shared with 16 Rainbow schools. Rainbow School Board staff were among the many drivers making the deliveries. Once the turkeys were picked up, Mr. Stillwaugh travelled to the schools in the Lively area.
“RDSB expresses its gratitude to Matt’s Plumbing and community partners Emco and the Plumbing Warehouse for their generosity. We extend sincere thanks to Matt Stillwaugh for his continued leadership of the Turkeys for Families initiative and for expanding its impact with support from the local business community,” said Bruce Bourget, director of education for RDSB. “Matt’s Plumbing and community partners are making the festive season brighter for families in Rainbow schools Their generosity is greatly appreciated.”
Lively District Secondary School vice-principal, Jake Jouppi, coordinated the distribution of the turkeys in Rainbow schools. “On behalf of the administrators of Rainbow schools, we extend our deepest gratitude to Matt’s Plumbing and community partners. Thank you for your continued kindness, ensuring families do not go without a turkey at Christmas.”
