At PLAN we host a series of what we call ‘Anchor Events’ over the course of a year. These are opportunities for families and their networks to come together and celebrate, share and reconnect. Families can depend on these events happening each year, anchoring our seasons together. The PLAN summer picnic is a crowd favourite and it was no different in 2025.
Over the course of the week before the picnic, we all watched the weather report closely and it wasn’t looking good. Rebecca, our Executive Director, held fast to our commitment to a brunch in the park. Even as we arrived at 8:30am that morning in a downpour, she started pulling out patio umbrellas and unfolding chairs. Rebecca pulled us together and said, ‘Are you having fun? Keep having fun. If you stop having fun and it feels like work, take a break and stand under an umbrella until you feel better.’ So, we donned our rain ponchos and got to work. The rain fell and the tents and food warmers went up, out came the grill and soon arrived the coffee. With each passing minute, the rain began to slow and the picnic came to life. By the time 10am rolled around, we were welcoming families as they arrived in record numbers and the showers had stopped. It was a bit of PLAN magic.
North shore families connected and reconnected, Special Olympics friends reunited, old friends sat in a circle and ate pancakes, kids mingled with adults and came back for seconds and thirds, we even celebrated a Lifetime Member’s birthday!
Rain be darned, these networks were coming out for pancakes and sausages. Rain be darned, these families were showing up to be together, potential adversity taken in stride.
When we believe that we must come together, we make it happen. We have learned this from PLAN families. The relentless belief that gathering together and encouraging each other to show up is how we sustain ourselves and our networks and how we begin to glimpse some peace of mind. Creating moments where we simply enjoy life together makes more real the possibility of a deeper peace.
Between these seasonal Anchor Events are hundreds of small and medium sized gatherings that families and networks create, incrementally building the boat we float forward upon together through storms, under bridges and into brighter days.
And remember, if it stops feeling like fun – take a break and take shelter until you feel ready to start again.