Nearly 300 people gathered at Deer Creek Golf Club early in the morning of Nov. 3 for the ‘Breakfast with Champions’, an event hosted by the Rotary Club of Whitby and Whitby Sunrise that raised $10,000 for Feed the Need in Durham (FTND).
Despite the chilly December weather, the mood inside was warm and energetic as community members, business leaders and local dignitaries came together to hear inspirational talks from community ‘champions’.
The event was hosted by veteran broadcaster Ken Shaw and featured three high-profile speakers: Daniel Tisch, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, former Ontario deputy premier Christine Elliott, and Toronto Argonauts legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons.
The theme centred on redefining what it means to be a champion — not through titles or personal accolades, but through meaningful impact on others.
One of the morning’s most celebrated examples was 13-year-old entrepreneur Cohen Lane, known affectionately as “Coco,” the founder and CEO of Coco’s Cocoa for Kids in Whitby.
Since 2023, he has raised more than $93,000 for SickKids Hospital. His story drew loud applause and underscored the event’s message that leadership can emerge at any age.
Clemons, known for his passionate speaking style and long-standing community involvement, urged attendees to move beyond complacency.
Drawing on a personal revelation he described as life-changing, Clemons told the crowd that “neutral is negative,” emphasizing the need for people to act intentionally when supporting their communities. Remaining passive, he said, only allows problems to grow.
Tisch echoed that sentiment, warning that rising negativity and self-interest — often modelled by those in power — can overshadow the good being done at the grassroots level.
In such an environment, he said, the work of local champions becomes even more essential.
“Pessimism spreads quickly,” Tisch noted, adding that empathy, volunteerism and generosity remain powerful antidotes.
Elliott, who played a key role in establishing Whitby’s Abilities Centre, spoke about perseverance and the importance of building pathways where none yet exist.
She described the challenges behind launching the now well-known facility and encouraged attendees to continue pushing for inclusive, community-driven initiatives.
“There are many individuals and families that are really needing assistance, especially at this time of year,” she said.
Since 2020, food bank visits have surged by more than 250 per cent in Durham Region, according to FTND, with one in four households being food insecure.