Josh and Jake Burella

Josh and Jake Burella
Posted on 09/04/2020
Every week we celebrate individuals in the SMCDSB community who have been recognized for going above and beyond to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week we are celebrating Josh and Jake Burella.

Josh and Jake are twin brothers and graduates of Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School in Collingwood. They were nominated by a staff member who said:

Burella brothers "Jake and Josh recently completed a 32 km swim for youth mental health,and raised over $30,000 to be used for local programs. Jake and Josh are role models for youth as they embody the mission of mind, body and universe. They have come into schools to do mental health meditation and stress coping skills and are hoping to do the same in the upcoming year. Their company, Primitive Patterns, includes four graduates from Our Lady of the Bay and together, they are improving the mindset of all those they meet, especially youth.

To quote Jake and Josh: "We felt called towards helping a community that has helped us so much. Covid has brought a lot of pain and heartbreak into our community and we figured now was the perfect time to be a sign of strength, love and unity in our community."  I had the pleasure of teaching these young men - they live their lives with compassion, health and wellness.”

We would like to thank Josh and Jake for their incredible effort in helping others during this time. You can view Josh and Jake's swim in the video below:



We would also like to thank the SMCDSB community for sharing stories of kindness and generosity over these past months. 
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced us all into physical distancing, distance learning and for some, a very difficult and uncertain situation, we reached out to our SMCDSB community, looking for the light.

We knew that staff, students and families in our board were doing incredible things for their communities and those in need, and we wanted to celebrate those acts of kindness. The response was overwhelming!

What you have shown us is that no matter what, we truly are in this together.  The stories you have shared have provided us with hope - something that is inspirational and very much needed in a time of crisis.  

As Christians we are called to be the salt and light of the world - to bring flavour to the life of others, and the light of our faith to our neighbours. Thank you for sharing all of the acts of kindness, service and charity that you have seen in our community.  Your stories have brightened our days and reignited our hope - and this is what our school board is all about.

“Your light must shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”  Matthew 5:16