David Brunelle's ordinary day took a delightful turn when an unexpected surprise awaited him, courtesy of his wife, Lisa, and MidlandToday's Random Acts of Kindness initiative.
Lisa, seeing David's unwavering dedication to their community, nominated him for this special recognition.
“David is someone who is always willing to volunteer his time for our community,” she explained. "Whether it's clearing snow from driveways or volunteering for local events, he's there."
David's impact on the community spans a wide range of activities. From organizing yard sales to participating in fundraising bingo events and even coordinating large-scale historical reenactments, his commitment knows no bounds.
However, it's the annual Brunelle Haunted Maze that truly captures the spirit of giving back in the Penetanguishene community.
Since 2014, the maze has not only provided thrills and chills but has also served as a beacon of hope, raising funds for Candlelighters Simcoe, a charity supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
The inspiration behind the maze's philanthropic mission stems from a personal journey.
"When our son Joshua battled leukemia at the age of eight, Candlelighters Simcoe took us under their wing," Lisa shared. “When Joshua went into remission and he was strong and healthy again, we wanted to give back.”
Each year, the maze becomes bigger and ever more impressive with spooky animatronics and decorations.
It also grows in popularity, attracting more visitors and raising significant funds for Candlelighters Simcoe.
The latest Halloween event drew over 1,400 attendees and raised $2,200 for the charity, contributing toward Christmas baskets for families across the Simcoe area.
Lisa and our MidlandToday representative, Rick Gordon, staged a business meeting at David’s workplace to surprise him with a Random Act of Kindness.
"I was truly surprised!" David exclaimed with a chuckle. "It is a great honour and truly humbling."
Reflecting on his community involvement, David's motivation is simple: love for his hometown.
“I have always lived in Penetanguishene and the community is great, so I love to give back,” he shared. "I learned the importance of community engagement from my mom, who was always very involved while I was growing up.”
Thank you to our co-sponsors, The Arch Steakhouse, Midland Olive Oil, Phil's Pub & Eatery and Wake Wellness, for contributing gifts to make this Random Act of Kindness possible.
If you know someone in the community who deserves recognition for their selfless actions, positivity in the face of hardship, or just for being a great person, you can nominate them for a Random Act of Kindness. Fill out our nomination form today!
If you would like to support our Random Acts of Kindness program, please email [email protected]
MidlandToday is proud to make a difference in our community by highlighting extraordinary individuals and organizations with our Random Acts of Kindness, a foundational piece of our MidlandToday Cares program.
The MidlandToday Cares team's mission is to create meaningful change in Midland - and inspire others to do the same.
