By Jacob Fehr
LAST Thursday, representatives of local businesses that sold Live Like Luke Canada Crossing merchandise to support the initiative and its beneficiary, Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice, presented funds for the organization to Dan Johnson of Port Dover. The Johnson family started the campaign to help raise funds and awareness for the hospice and honour their late son and brother, Luke Johnson.
Cabin 519, Cocoa Cabana, and The Custom Print Shop helped support the Johnsons’ cause by making or selling Live Like Luke merchandise, with proceeds going toward the hospice. Mr. Johnson said their efforts raised $13,380 for the hospice.
“Thank you all very much for the role you played,” he told the business owners and media gathered for a cheque presentation in Cabin 519. He said their work helped “spread the awareness and create the excitement” around his family’s initiative to support the hospice.
Pam Schneider, owner of Cabin 519, shared how she and her shop became involved.
“Dan approached me months ago about possibly sponsoring his ride across Canada,” Ms. Schneider said. “During our conversations I suggested that perhaps we could sell something at Cabin 519 that could help raise funds for the hospice. At some point Dan showed me a photo of Luke’s smiley face drawing and I knew immediately that was it! Having Luke’s artwork on garments in our art store was the perfect fit. Luke’s family allowed me to get creative with colours for the t-shirts, hats and stickers.”
She said The Custom Print Shop in Simcoe made the merchandise, and she purchased it from them. Cabin 519 kept just enough from each sale to cover the costs of buying the items but set the rest of the money aside for the hospice, raising $7,100 and counting.
“The hospice is such an important and necessary part of our community and we’re more than happy to continue fundraising when we can,” Ms. Schneider said.
“The response from our customers has been fantastic. When they hear the Johnsons’ story, they are very happy to support the cause.”
To learn more about or donate to the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice, go to www.norfolkhaldimandhospice.ca/. You can also support the organization by purchasing Live Like Luke merchandise and shopping at the Johnsons’ Main Street, Port Dover, store, pd thrifts.
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Originally published September 24, 2025
