Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Trash has been turned to treasure for the kids of KFLA Family and Children’s Services thanks to the efforts of Napanee’s Willie Wing.
For the better part of two years now Wing has been collecting scrap metal, which he sells to Greater Napanee Recycling Ltd. Through his efforts he was able to raise $4,000, which he donated to Family and Children’s Services in Napanee earlier this month.
“It’s been a long haul and far more labour intensive than I anticipated, but it’s satisfying to finally be able to make a significant donation,” said Wing.
A sales representative with Sutton Group-Masters Realty by day, Wing collects appliances, cars and scrap metal in his spare time.
“I accept anything and everything, that’s what I tell people,” said Wing. “They say they’ve got a car or a truck they want to get rid of I say ‘ok.”
When looking for a charity to donate to, he reached out to Milt Rose of the Napanee Golf and Country Club. While unsure of the exact charity, Wing knew he wanted to help young athletes. A longtime minor hockey coach, Wing says he had seen all too often kids being unable to play due to financial limitations. In talking with Rose, he was directed to Family and Children Services.
“This will remain in the Napanee community,” Sonia Gentile, executive director with Frontenac Lennox and Addington Family and Children Services said of the donation. “We’ll use it for items that wouldn’t necessarily be funded through our organization. That may be items like sports or maybe other hobbies. There may be materials that are needed for a child a youth to participate in an activity. We get requests for things like different music instruments or sporting equipment.”
The money could also be used to help fund lessons for a particular hobby or interest as well.
Wing intends to keep collecting scrap metal and build towards his next donation. Anyone with metal to donate can call him at 613-561-1048 or email Wwing@Sutton.com.