Ontario has often been lauded for its multiculturalism; a province that is home to many different religious traditions and cultural influences that, in their coexistence, result in a unique cultural mosaic.

On June 4, 2020, that mosaic was on full display at the Reena Community Residence (RCR) in Vaughan.

It was there, in response to the ongoing global pandemic, and ensuring that social distancing and all other safety protocols were practiced, City of Vaughan Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca – in her first public outing since testing positive for Covid-19 in early April - spearheaded an event in honour of Reena’s courageous and compassionate front-line workers.

Thanks to committed community leaders, including Councillor Defrancesca, Toronto Raptors’ Superfan Nav Bhatia, Rabbi Shmuli Nachlas of the Jewish Youth Network and others, close to 300 meals were prepared for, and distributed to, Reena’s front-line workers; the organization’s real life super heroes, in a show of appreciation for their service and for putting their own lives on the line during these difficult times.

In addition to the RCR, meals were distributed to Reena’s 10 group homes in Vaughan, as well as to the staff at the Toby & Henry Battle Developmental Centre.

This important community event would not have been possible without the generosity and compassion of several donors including The BAYT Sisterhood, Allmart Distributing, The Kosher Pickle, United Car and Truck Rental, CEO Roshan Navaratnam, Inter-City Logistics Group, CEO Kula Sellathurai, Canvas Developments, and Allan and Tova Gutenberg. Tova, the personification of L’dor vador (passing on cultural traditions from generation to generation), is the daughter of the late Rabbi Kelman, Reena's founding Rabbi.