Life Is Continually Changing
Donation protected
“Life is continuously changing. Some days feel light while others feel heavier. Friday, Jan 3, 2020 made me appreciate them all. It only took a single moment for our girls trip of chasing rainbows to turn into an accident, rolling the vehicle seven times and crushing both my ankles and feet. Life flashed before our eyes. I am so thankful for the love and protection that surrounds us. Life, and the people that cross our path throughout our journey, is truly a gift ❤️. Mahalo” Ellee’s (Hellier) words radiate her positive spirit and appreciation for life. Unfortunately for Ellee, her positive spirit is being challenged like none of us would ever want for ourselves or our loved ones.
Ellee grew up in Cobourg and will always call it home. She attended Notre Dame elementary school and St Mary high school. She always loved swimming and was a fixture at the Y; attending swimming lessons, the Wave program, and participating in the Norac swim team with many of her soon to be lifelong friends. Combining her love of the water and children she became a swim instructor and a life guard. Ellee extended her passions to horticulture, developing the skill of growing and arranging beautiful flowers and plants at Yonnas Green House.
The summer of her senior year, she took part in Northumberland County's Summer Company Youth Entrepreneur program, developing and operating her first small business, “Under The Sun Beach Treasures”. Her little beach hut was a real asset to Cobourg's waterfront community that summer. She stayed on with the County, mentoring students who were entering the NH's youth program. Since then Ellee has worked as an event coordinator for the County as well as various other organizations in the community.
She was directly involved in the development, planning, and operation of Cobourg's first licensed beach event. “Beach, Bands, and Bar,” was a super fun event that took place at the beach for three weekends, and really brought the community together that summer.
Ellee also loved working with the crew at Craft Food House and Catering, especially the Pop Up Dinners.
Recently, Ellee created her second small business, “Fresh Gardens by Ellee,” specializing in beautiful, seasonal outdoor arrangements and garden design.
After earning a BA in International Development from Guelph University and a Grad certificate for Event Planning from Humber College, Ellee enrolled in The Canadian School of Floral Design and finished top of her class. She is so happy to have found a career path that she absolutely loves. It is by wanting to learn more about tropical floral design, that she finds herself in Maui, Hawaii through a Work Away assignment with Hana Tropicals. This is where she met her 3 good friends who were also involved in the horrific car accident, on Friday, January 3rd. Despite the challenges facing her, Ellee has absolutely no doubt that she'll be running in the forest again soon! One of her favourite sayings is "She thought she could, so she did.” Ellee is 25 years old, adventurous, and full of life; a free-spirited young woman, with so much life still ahead of her. She has undergone 2 surgeries in Maui to stabilize her before it is safe for her to be flown to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Ellee will need many more surgeries and treatments to reach her goal of being able to run again. Once back in Canada, and discharged from the hospital, Ellee will have significant costs to manage her recovery because she has no extended health care benefits. If you are able to contribute financially to supporting the recovery of this vibrant young woman with an indomitable spirit who has contributed so much to our community, it would be greatly appreciated by Ellee and all those who know and love her. Your prayers and emotional support are also greatly appreciated ❤️
Ellee grew up in Cobourg and will always call it home. She attended Notre Dame elementary school and St Mary high school. She always loved swimming and was a fixture at the Y; attending swimming lessons, the Wave program, and participating in the Norac swim team with many of her soon to be lifelong friends. Combining her love of the water and children she became a swim instructor and a life guard. Ellee extended her passions to horticulture, developing the skill of growing and arranging beautiful flowers and plants at Yonnas Green House.
The summer of her senior year, she took part in Northumberland County's Summer Company Youth Entrepreneur program, developing and operating her first small business, “Under The Sun Beach Treasures”. Her little beach hut was a real asset to Cobourg's waterfront community that summer. She stayed on with the County, mentoring students who were entering the NH's youth program. Since then Ellee has worked as an event coordinator for the County as well as various other organizations in the community.
She was directly involved in the development, planning, and operation of Cobourg's first licensed beach event. “Beach, Bands, and Bar,” was a super fun event that took place at the beach for three weekends, and really brought the community together that summer.
Ellee also loved working with the crew at Craft Food House and Catering, especially the Pop Up Dinners.
Recently, Ellee created her second small business, “Fresh Gardens by Ellee,” specializing in beautiful, seasonal outdoor arrangements and garden design.
After earning a BA in International Development from Guelph University and a Grad certificate for Event Planning from Humber College, Ellee enrolled in The Canadian School of Floral Design and finished top of her class. She is so happy to have found a career path that she absolutely loves. It is by wanting to learn more about tropical floral design, that she finds herself in Maui, Hawaii through a Work Away assignment with Hana Tropicals. This is where she met her 3 good friends who were also involved in the horrific car accident, on Friday, January 3rd. Despite the challenges facing her, Ellee has absolutely no doubt that she'll be running in the forest again soon! One of her favourite sayings is "She thought she could, so she did.” Ellee is 25 years old, adventurous, and full of life; a free-spirited young woman, with so much life still ahead of her. She has undergone 2 surgeries in Maui to stabilize her before it is safe for her to be flown to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Ellee will need many more surgeries and treatments to reach her goal of being able to run again. Once back in Canada, and discharged from the hospital, Ellee will have significant costs to manage her recovery because she has no extended health care benefits. If you are able to contribute financially to supporting the recovery of this vibrant young woman with an indomitable spirit who has contributed so much to our community, it would be greatly appreciated by Ellee and all those who know and love her. Your prayers and emotional support are also greatly appreciated ❤️
Organizer and beneficiary
Debbie Wiggans
Organizer
Cobourg, ON
Mary Hellier
Beneficiary
