Beyond the Blue Box fire tragedy

Beyond the Blue Box had been a community cornerstone in Cobourg since 1992 and is a wonderful organization. I had the pleasure of working for this organization for many years and have seen first hand how much of an impact it has made on the community and the special needs individuals who work there. Please help them in their time of need after the main building has been destroyed by fire and this will no doubt have the organization and staff enduring many hardships in the months to follow.

About Beyond the Blue Box

Founded in 1992, with the twin objectives of diverting waste and offering developmentally challenged individuals work opportunities, BBB has blossomed into an environmental success story and surpassed every criterion its founders set.

Today, more than a million pounds of waste is diverted from our landfills every year.

From one paid staff person, we now employ 11 full-time staff. 9 part-time and provide work experience for 25 developmentally challenged individuals; of whom

five are full-time, five are part time and five are high school students. Over 29 years, in close co-operation with the West Northumberland Community Living, we have helped more than 60 people participate in a work environment.

We have also helped hundreds of young people perform community service under the Community Probation Services program since 2000. .

This past year BBB continued its practice of helping fire victims and women establishing new homes with household items. One hundred families were assisted through referrals of local agencies.