Celebrating Deborah Darke’s 75th – Continuing Her Mission to Support Refugees

Our mom (Deborah, Deb, Dee Dee) is turning 75 on May 18th, and we want to do something meaningful to celebrate her incredible heart and lifelong commitment to helping others.

For more than a decade, she’s been deeply involved in supporting refugee families — raising funds, securing housing and employment, teaching new skills including swimming and skating and building lasting, personal connections. In true Deb fashion, she never seeks recognition, but we know there’s nothing she would appreciate more than seeing her work continued.

To honour her 75th, we’ve launched this GoFundMe campaign: Deborah Darke’s Refugee Support Fund. Every dollar raised (minus the minimal GoFundMe fees) will go directly to support families in the Kingston, Ontario area.

If you know our mom, you know she’s spent her life putting others first — as a nurse, a bereavement counsellor, a volunteer, a fundraiser, and simply as a friend who shows up when people need her most.

Let’s help her keep showing up for these families and mark this milestone birthday in a way that truly reflects who she is.