Paul Kloostra may not be here in body to celebrate Christmas with his family this year, but he will be there in spirit, thanks in no small part to a family friend and the Ontario Toyota Dealers Association.
Paul passed away suddenly of a heart attack last January while teaching at John McGregor Secondary School. He left behind his wife, Shelley Bechard-Kloostra, and teenaged daughters Emilee and Valerie.
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His passing hasn’t been easy on the family. Enter family friend Donna Jubenville.
“Her husband was just a great guy. They’ve really suffered a huge loss,” she said. “He was really liked by so many people.”
Donna had heard through her son about the Toyota Holiday Wishmaker program. During the 24 days of December leading up to Christmas, the Ontario Toyota Dealers Association (OTDA) is granting wishes to folks across the province.
In November, people could nominate folks to have a wish granted. Donna saw a great opportunity.
Her plan was to get the family a new Christmas tree. She said Shelley’s tree was broken, something the family had planned to replace following last Christmas, but Paul’s passing changed all that.
“It’s been a very difficult year for them,” Donna said. “I thought if I could get them a beautiful tree, she doesn’t have to go out. She was stressing about it. I thought it could put a smile on their face.”
Donna submitted her written request and crossed her fingers. She was excited to learn Toyota picked Shelley and the girls as one of the Wishmaker recipient families.
“They can make some new memories. This is something that can make them all smile,” Donna said.
And that’s what happened when staff from the Glasshouse Nursery showed up and set up the tree. There were smiles, tears and hugs all around when Toyota representatives and Donna showed up.
“I thought Christmas is a time for giving. What a great thing. She’s so happy to have it,” Donna said of the tree. “She has always been a great friend over the years. She’s always been there for me.”
The tree is up, but there’s one special element still missing. Donna said an artist is designing the tree topper.
“I mentioned I wanted the brightest star on top of the tree as a symbol of Paul looking down on them,” she said. “She had the choice of three artists to design the star. They’ll really make it about him (Paul).”
