OUR STORY
From Grief to Catalysts for Change
Together we can make a difference,
one swing at a time.
Johnny was my son, we lost him at the age of 25 due to substance use. Johnny was a young man who was loving, sensitive, caring, and had a great sense of humour. Helping people gave him a lot of personal satisfaction. He loved to give. He had a heart of gold. This is why we have started our fundraising efforts to support those experiencing similar circumstances with resources to help educate, navigate and be alongside families and individuals experiencing mental health and addiction illnesses. We have chosen to support this event because we’ve lived through and seen the effects of mental health and addiction firsthand.
The purpose of Johnny's Heart of Gold Fundraising Foundation is to provide a legacy for Johnny Sirsiris by raising money for charitable causes in mental health and addiction recovery, and to provide opportunities for growth through scholarships.
Although we may be the faces, we would not have the strength and reach if it was not for many of the amazing committee members, sponsors, volunteers and supporters of our annual Golf Tournament. We are looking forward to each upcoming year, as well as continuing to support our legacy partners.
In 2023, we successfully raised $145,000 through our fundraising efforts, $45,333 of which was donated to FamilySmart, an organization dedicated to supporting youth and families facing these challenges, and $85,333 was donated to Together We Can, an addiction recovery & education society. With the success of the 2023 event, our cumulative total now sits over $250,000 raised. In 2024, our goal is to meet or exceed these donations, and we need your support to make it happen.
We continue to honor the life of Johnny Sirsiris, who passed away at the age of 25 in June 2020. Together with our family, friends, and the community, we are creating a legacy for Johnny to make our world a better, kinder place.
To do this, we are raising funds through the Annual Johnny's Heart of Gold Invitational Tournament. Our event sponsors are building on this legacy by helping youth and young adults who are struggling with complex mental health and/or substance abuse challenges.
Together, we are supporting our community and demonstrating to those faced with mental health challenges that the community around them cares for them and will stand by them.
Our Goals
1
To help those struggling with complex mental health challenges
In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a a mental illness. We provide support to those struggling in our community through our partnership with FamilySmart.
2
To provide support to those struggling with addiction
Approximately 21% of the population is affected by addiction. We provide support to those struggling with addiction challenges through our partnership with Together We Can.
3
To establish a scholarship and/or bursary in Johnny's Name
Johnny loved to play hockey and was a plumber by trade. We are seeking to set up a bursary and/or scholarship in his name.