Fantastic Fathers
Fantastic Fathers founder Steven Brown sits at his table selling merchandise and autographed pictures to help support families in need this Christmas. Brown is looking to make the Fantastic Fathers Community Group a registered charity to assist those in need. (Photo by Alyssa Leonard)
A local community group known as Fantastic Fathers Community Group recently held an event to raise money for families in need this Christmas.
Earlier this month hundreds of families stood in line for hours at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens to get their pictures taken with a local group’s costumed Paw Patrol characters.
At the front of the line Steven Brown, the group’s founder, sat at a table selling merchandise bearing the Fantastic Fathers’ logo, as well as offering autographed pictures of their costumed characters for a donation of $2.
“I was told by a worker at Colasanti’s that that was a larger crowd than what they get for Santa Claus every year,” said Brown. “It was pretty remarkable to see.”
The Fantastic Fathers Community Group was started by Brown as a Facebook page in March of 2015. He believes that every fit parent has a right to be equally involved in their children’s life, whenever possible.
“I want people to know that we’re called Fantastic Fathers, but we’re family-based,” said Brown. “It doesn’t have to (only) be a dad by any means.”
Brown noticed anytime he wanted some parenting advice he would have to go to a mom’s group page on Facebook. He wondered why there were no dad groups and it progressed from there. He is currently working on registering to become a fully licensed charity.
Jennifer LaBonte took her two children to the event and donated $2 for an autographed photograph.
“I think it’s wonderful. All kids should get to experience the Christmas spirit,” said LaBonte.
Nicole Harris learned about the event from a Facebook event page. She attended the event with her two-year-old daughter and purchased shirts in support of Fantastic Fathers.
“I think (the group) is fantastic and I fully support the idea,” said Harris. “I’m grateful for this wonderful charity.”
Fantastic Fathers will be working with the Connections Early Years Family Centre to ensure the money gets to those who need it most.
“They’ve been around a long time and they know exactly who’s in need,” said Brown. “It’s going to end up in the right hands and that makes us feel pretty good.”
Fantastic Fathers will be accepting donations for families in need at the annual Children’s Safety Village Trick or Treat in The Village on Oct. 27. They will also be at the Transition to Betterness 5K9 dog walk at Malden Park on Oct 29 and the Trick or Treat Family Halloween Party put on by In Honour of the Ones We Love charity at the Ciociaro Club on Oct 30.
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