Originally published in a Now Toronto story by reporter Beatriz Ferreira, the piece focused on Polkadots Playland and Montessori Academy, a private school in Brampton, Ont. facing serious financial challenges. The school was trying to raise $90,000 to stay afloat, but with a whopping $80,000 left to raise and the end-of-month deadline fast approaching, time was running out.
As Ferreira would mention in her story, Polkadots is a school "... which provides programs for children in pre-kindergarten to Grade six, including for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), had been struggling to financially recover after it had been closed for a period following the COVID-19 pandemic."
Well, with the help of their story reaching a broader audience—thanks in part to local journalist Brandon Gonez's awareness efforts too—Polkadots' time-crunching dilemma caught the right attention it needed to address their lofty financial burden.
The school would rally the local community, along with a host of concerned parents, in a collective effort to do whatever they could to help keep this essential educational center from having its doors closed for good.
Polkadots Principal Josette Drummond would mention in Ferreira's story: "The sense of community, the sense of connectedness that I feel… We are truly a family, and that joy to be able to just continue what we’ve been doing and what they appreciate and value so much has just been the best feeling for everybody."
Donations began to pour in for Polkadots Playland and Montessori Academy across a wide channel. Coincidentally, one of the donors turned out to be a friendly face from the Toronto Raptors, and this is where Scottie Barnes enters the fold of this story.
Principal Drummond would comment on how Barnes got involved with the Polkadots campaign in the Now Toronto story, saying: "I got that phone call from someone on his team, and she just expressed that he came across the story, and he was moved by it, and wants to help… beyond words, like a literal miracle."
Generous donation from Scottie Barnes was a huge help to Polkadots
Moreover, Drummond provided an additional statement in which she praised Barnes's refined character, highlighting his spirited efforts to assist them in their dire situation.
She said: "I think it’s a testament to who he is as a person... This is definitely something he didn’t have to do. So, the fact that he not only felt for us, but put actions behind that feeling and such significant actions at that, I think, is really just a testament of the remarkable young man he is."
Kind acts like this are exactly the type of outside basketball endeavors that you love to see circulate online. I'm sure Barnes didn't seek credit for the deed; if it could have been kept anonymous, he likely would have preferred that.
But for good reason, it's wonderful that Barnes's soft-hearted character is on full display—not just for his basketball fans, but for the local community to see him as just another guy who cares. Celebrity or not, Barnes can use his platform to do good for those around him, and that's the culture we promote in this city, one that the Toronto Raptors franchise aims to embody.
The job for Polkadots isn’t quite finished yet, as the Now Toronto story notes the following points in its closing section:
"The donations received by Polkadots should prevent the school from having to close next week and even keep it afloat for the next few months."
"Since asking for help online to keep the school open, Drummond said some business owners and managers have reached out to her and offered support, along with Barnes’ team that have committed to be available for support."
Here's hoping that Polkadots can soon find a long-term solution that will put them in a comfortable position to keep their doors open for the foreseeable future and maintain their status as an educational resource for various children's learning groups in the community.
And a big shoutout to Scottie Barnes for stepping up to help during a critical time for an essential business.