Socks — hundreds of socks — inspired Juliane Goyette to continue giving back to her community, knowing that even small acts of kindness can create change.
The longtime Newmarket volunteer is being honoured with a Portraits of Giving Award for her volunteer leadership that has helped to build a better, stronger community.
For the last five years, Goyette has organized an annual sock drive for Newmarket’s homeless shelter, and area women’s shelters and schools since learning that many children at a local school didn’t have socks.
What started as a drive to benefit one school with 250 pairs of socks collected has grown every year, along with the need in the community, but she said she will never forget how she felt when the teachers told her how eagerly the students welcomed the gift of socks.
Knowing how that small act of kindness impacted the students, Goyette said she was inspired to continue helping others.
Goyette, who is a financial advisor and responsible investment specialist with HollisWealth Investia, current treasurer and board member of the Newmarket Food Pantry, and sponsor of the HollisWealth StoryPod at Riverwalk Commons, is among 16 community volunteers and leaders being honoured in the 11th annual Portraits of Giving by Merk Photography.
Goyette began volunteering to help her father, who launched an annual golf tournament in 1995 for Crime Stoppers of York Region.
“The key to a successful life is to make a difference in someone else’s,” Goyette said. “You don’t need money to do this, we all have other resources we can draw from, whether it’s our time, energy, intellect or our heart.”
Goyette is passionate about her volunteer role with the Newmarket Food Pantry, which serves more than 1,300 people every month, as she feels strongly that everyone deserves to have food on their table.
Portraits of Giving, which typically features a six-month portraits tour and awards receptions across York Region, has pivoted to a virtual model and small-scale events as a result of the restrictions around social gatherings to help stem COVID-19, said Karen Merk, owner of Merk Photography and founder of Portraits of Giving.
The annual event, though different this year, will continue to create awareness and inspire the community through photography, stories, education and thought leadership about the importance of corporate and social responsibility in York Region, Merk said.
A presentation event with Newmarket Mayor John Taylor and Goyette’s family took place June 16, and a surprise car parade Tuesday night past Cachet Supper Club helped make the event special for Goyette.
Honourees also receive a $200 donation for a charity of their choice, and Goyette has chosen to support the Newmarket Food Pantry.
“To date, Portraits of Giving has celebrated 119 community members who keep giving back and inspire the good that can be done by helping our community,” Merk said.
You can join the virtual celebration for Newmarket on Thursday, July 8 at 7 p.m. on Facebook with Goyette and special guests.
Goyette’s portrait and story are on display at the Cachet Supper Club on Water Street until July 13.
The other 2020 Portrait of Giving honourees are:
Lifetime Giver: Roger Keeley, Markham
Aurora: Lenard Lind
Richmond Hill: Joanne Witt
King Township: Winnie Stott
Markham: Kim Campbell
Vaughan: Rosanne Longo and Family
Georgina: Anita and Dave Haynes
Stouffville Chamber of Commerce: Sonya Torres and Dolores Trentadue
East Gwillimbury: Sheri Andrunyk
York Regional Police: Former Police Chief Eric Jolliffe
Fire/Paramedic Services: York Region Paramedic Service's Jeff McGrath
Sports: Master Akmal Farah
