The ï¬rst year the charity operated, it raised and donatâ€" ed $20,000 to families with sick children. Last year, more than $1 million was donated. While he has been involved in many business Besides helping run the dinner in town, Mr Clem- ents is also heavily involved in the the Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity, which he started. GRANDCHILDREN DIED He began , the char- ity in 1990 after losing two grandchildren, both from Stoufl’ville, to a degenerative muscular illness. The purpose behind the charity is to give ï¬nancial support to families with chil- dren who are chrOnically and seriously ill. year," he said. “We’re very for- tunate to get a lot of mixed People; n'ch. poor. powerful and unpowerful. It’s the bar- mony of the community and “WW? conï¬ne togeflierf Christmas dinners served in Bolivia, Stouffville by Clements family Fromnl. His eldest son is now the vice-president of National Sports. His three other chil- dren, one son and two daugh- ters, are also successful, and two assist with the Christmas dinner each year. too," he said “Usually when you get into trouble, people dump you. But that didn’t happen in my case and we're so blessed.†He has since sold the retail chain to iFforzani Group Ltd. He cuedits the “great crew†of people for not only helping the charity succeed, but also helping him during his own diflicult ï¬nancial times with his former company, Nation- al Sports, in 1994. “We got back on our feet and sort of solidiï¬ed our family and through that, Jenâ€" nifer Ashleigh got stronger, ventunes in his life, Mr Cle- ments said the best part of anyjobisthepeople. “Everybody can buy prod- uct. everybody can get a store location, everybody can get the cheapest price, but who are the people?" Mr. Clements also has HOU “I don’t manage my time, I just run,†he laughed “Everyâ€" bodysayslgotoo fast.My wife’s a great ally and so are my children and my friends†‘GO 100 FAST When he can't get enough of helping people here, Mr. Clements travels to Bolivia with his wife to help in an orphanage, and cook their Christmas dinner. His wife helps run a spa where children can be bathed and clothed. “We’re just a tiny part of it, and we love it," he said. nine grandchildren, raises and breeds race horses, and just recently released a new sports drink onto the market called Exhilerate. ï¬lmm Thismessagebrwghnoyouasuoonmmityservioe ofTheEcmomist/Sm-Ttbum. 1-800-565-81 I I www.girlguides.co Join us at anytime. Attendance at last month's dinner in Stouï¬'ville was down by 125 from previous Neverthelws, next year’s dinner has already been - “Over 4,600 people go to the Christmas dinner in Bolivia and we’re talk- ing extreme poor," he said. “If they can do that many meals out of one stove and borrowed burners, surely the town of Stouï¬ville can do a little morethanwe do.†Mt Clements said while he gets satisfaction out of helping the needy children. Stoufl'viile could take a few pointers when it comes to participation in the Christ- mas dinner. You may nominate yourself, your business or that of any other worthwhile candidate. Nominees do not have to be a member of the chamber. Nominees may be nominated in more than one category subject to eligibility criteria. Nominees must have an operating presence in Whitchuch- Stouifville. YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (Individual Award) * Winners will be announced at the Business Awards Dinner, Apri124, 2008. Nominations must be submitted by February 22, 2008 to tbe VVhitcburch-Stouffville Chamber of Commerce â€" Box 1500, Stouffville, Ontario L4A 8A4 or fax: (905) 642-8966. Open to all businesses in existance at least 2 years BUSINESS AWARDS BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (Individual Award)- CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Awards are for the following catagories BUSINESS OF THE YEAR “It’s not Norm Clements' dinner, it's not EastRidge Church's dinner, it's a com- munity dinner and we would like more people to get involved with it," he said. “We have the volunteers, we just need the people who want adinner." Nyone interested in ï¬nding out more about the annual Christmas din- ner Is asked to call Rev. David Knight (905-852-3534), the Stouflw’lle Courr by Market (9056403813) or any local church. given the go-ahead More publicity will be done earlier next year to get the message out, that every- one who wants to attend is welcome. [Wï¬wflullrtmmdtmlntmr YOUI' Business Is Our Busmess (Individual Award) (Company Award) Procedure: M' Sunâ€"Munc- 10,2008 NORM OIEMENI'S: Philanthm pist says Stouffville can learn from residents of Bolivia.