A Memory A Legacy | nowicanfund

OUR STORIES

by Brenda McCraney Chisholm

When a child unexpectedly leaves your life, it’s as if the world has come to a complete standstill. There is an endless flood of emotions to wade through and just getting up in the morning seems like an insurmountable task. Most of us wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves let alone envision how anything positive might come out of such a tragic loss.

Yet that’s exactly what Nancy Barlett did after her youngest son, Mark Wynnyk, was killed on his motorcycle in May 2007. Nancy decided a few months after his death she needed to do something to honour the child who was so gifted in whatever he touched, yet so frustrated on how to find his way in the world. She was put in touch with Cheryl Taylor, Executive Director Burlington Community Foundation (www.burlingtonfoundation.org) who was able to put her son’s memory into something that was as unique as Mark himself.

Mark was raised in a one-parent household. His mother and father had separated when he was quite young so it was really just the three of them (Nancy’s other son, Dan, is 13 months older than Mark). The boys were very fortunate to have each other as well as a devoted, caring mother and doting grandparents who always made it a point to celebrate their achievements. They were always there for any of the sporting events and activities their grandchildren were involved in.

Mark found himself drawn to extreme sports and immersed himself into downhill skiing, BMX racing, boxing, motocross and motorcycling.
Despite a penchant for more physically challenging sports, Mark surprised many by being a gifted golfer which was remarkable in that he had no professional training. Mark also excelled at chess and poker because he was proficient at studying the player and the game.

He was proud of his achievements but struggled with the realization he would not be content in a nine-to-five world. Recognizing his ability to master challenging sports, he was willing to take on a variety of part-time jobs in order to experience the passions that clearly defined him as a person.

When Mark lost his life Nancy was devastated and unsure how to pick up the pieces of her life. Before Christmas 2007 arrived and still obviously struggling though her grief, Nancy decided upon a task. “I knew I had to find a way to get through this. I had to make sense of what had happened and try to make a difference for others much like Mark.”

What Nancy recognized was a lack of options for the kids who didn’t fit the academic profile. An autobiography entitled, “When All You Have Is Hope”, by the co-founder of The Second Cup, Frank O’Dea, spoke to her in that it was someone who was exceptionally bright, yet fell between the cracks of society because he couldn’t achieve what others wanted of him. After a succession of horrendous obstacles, he was eventually able to identify his path in life and has since made it his mission to give back to the community.

Nancy heard about how the Burlington Community Foundation had assisted the parents of Matthew Daly, and spoke to them on how they could put into place a memorial fund for Mark. They were able to provide a comprehensive infrastructure as well as handle all the administrative duties with a talented board of directors and support staff. The BCF were able to assist Nancy in honouring her son’s memory that truly reflected Mark as a person, while at the same time reaching out to the community in need in an ongoing, sustainable way.

On October 22nd, 2007 (Mark’s birthday), family and friends gathered at a memorial service and celebration of his life. Over drinks and food at a local pub, an idea began to form. With Christmas approaching and with it the anticipated anxiety and grief magnified, the group decided to organize a pot luck dinner with family and friends in the week leading up to Christmas Day. The focal point of the event was a huge stocking which everyone filled with gifts for a teenage boy for the Salvation Army’s toy drive.

It was on Christmas Day that the Barlett/Wynnyk family decided to write a cheque to the Now I Can Children's Fund in lieu of gift-giving to one another. Since that time, there has been a pledge of $10,000 by CIBC Wood Gundy as part of their continuing commitment to raise funds for children’s charities.

The first organized major fundraising event was, “Fallen Riders Memorial Ride”, a motorcycle charity ride which was held on July 12th of this year in memory of Mark and other fallen riders with 100% of the proceeds going to the Now I Can Fund (www.nowican.net) Although the day forecast thunderstorms, along with hot and steamy temperatures, $11,000 was raised in support of children and youth. When all is said and done, reaching out and caring is what Nancy Barlett had on her mind when she realized there were others like her son, Mark, who were highly gifted yet frustrated in their desires to find their footing in this world.

The 'Nowican' commitment is to make the future brighter for young people. The very fitting phrase Nancy likes to use, “Footsteps to a brighter future” refers to the goal in helping inspire struggling children and youth through the provision of grants for alternative education and skill development opportunities.