The conception of the Don Cherry goalie mask began back about a year ago. The Brentwood Social Committee approached me inquiring if I could paint a mask to be raffled at the Brentwood Recovery Home family picnic. My first thought was if we could get someone popular to sign this mask than it would be worth something. After some thought I figured just maybe I could get Don Cherry to autograph it since we have a mutual friend. I made a few phone calls and Don agreed. I asked what he would like to see on the mask and he suggested his dog Blue and a particular picture of Ron MacLean and himself. On the mask design I painted Don with Blue on one side, Don's in his rookie Boston Bruins uniform on the other. On the back I painted a pink rose to honour Don's wife Rose. The rest as they say, "is history."
- Dan Lessard
Dan Lessard was born in Windsor, Ontario and resided here all his life. Dan’s need to express himself through drawing came about at a very young age and he shares a story of sitting on the front porch with his Mom, she patiently showing him how to draw people. The promise shown in those youthful endeavours has developed into the well rounded artist Dan is today, including a new business venture called ‘Rembrants Studioz’. You can check him out online at,
www.rembrantsstudioz.com.
Some of the more notable works done by Dan include a goalie mask painted for country star Garth Brook’s charity. This piece of art sold at auction for several thousands of dollars. In the list of credits for the movie ‘The Tooth Fairy’ you will find Dan’s name as well. He was commissioned to paint two of the masks used in this production.
Dan, his wife Penny and their five children have deep roots in the community and he is well known for finding meaningful ways of giving back. This is especially true when a project presents itself that involves either his faith community or a chance to help people in recovery. An alumnus of 20 plus years of Brentwood Recovery Home he expressed great joy at the opportunity to help raise money for a program at Brentwood dealing with the prevention and treatment of adolescents struggling with addictions.
Dan felt this program was important and wanted to do something special for the kids and so the “Don Cherry Goalie Mask” was an idea that quickly took on a life of its’ own. When Don Cherry was contacted he gladly ‘signed’ on. All monies raised through this auction are to be used in the development and maintenance of this vital program.
Listed below are some links for those wishing to learn more about Dan and his art.
It is with heartfelt gratitude we say thanks Dan for your willingness to help the youth of our community.
We wish you boundless good fortune in all future endeavours.
With love from the Brentwood Fellowship.
http://www.rembrantsbrush.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIxc1i5Ehno
http://twitter.com/Rembrantart
http://www.goalieboard.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4765&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
The founder of the Brentwood Recovery Home, the late Father Paul Charbonneau, always felt that our adolescents with the beginnings of addiction were "slipping through the cracks". The staff and alumni of Brentwood are committed to see Father Charbonneau's dream through to make the Brentwood Recovery Adolescent Recovery Program a reality. Many organizations and health care professionals are excited to see this much needed program begin here at Brentwood. This program, which is in its early stages, will continue to grow with the help of fund raising efforts like the Don Cherry Goalie Mask Auction.
OUR MISSION
Brentwood is a Recovery Home committed to providing compassionate care and treatment in a residential setting for persons whose primary problem is alcohol and drug abuse while providing non-residential support for their families.
VALUES
We embrace the service of providing for the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals though sharing, confiding and consulting. * We are committed to developing and building quality care, competent service and faithful stewardship. * We recognize and respect the fact that recovery is a life long process that requires ongoing support and care so that each person has the opportunity to continually enhance his/her self confidence, self worth and personal growth as an alumnus. *
Charity House which operates as The Brentwood Recovery Home was founded in 1964 by Father Paul Charbonneau, Jim and Kay Ryan. Brentwood is presently under the guidance of the Executive Director, Mr. Don Russell MSW RSW CACII and a staff of thirty-nine full and part-time staff. The Brentwood Recovery Home is a not-for profit, registered charity that offers residential and non¬residential recovery programs and services for individuals and their families suffering from the effects of alcohol, gambling and drug related problems.
Located in the heart of Windsor Ontario, Brentwood is a non-denominational recovery home that has served over 23,000 Men and Women primarily from Windsor and Essex County; however clients have come from all over North America including members of the Sheshatshui Innu First Nation coming from northern Newfoundland and Labrador on a regular basis.
The Brentwood program consists of meetings, one-on-one counseling and intensive group therapy. The Residential Program is between twenty-one and ninety days and is determined by the intake assessment and by the client's individual progress and needs. Brentwood recognizes the fact that recovery is a life-long process and after-care is a key ingredient. Brentwood also offers didactic meetings, extensive after-care, family counseling, women's support group, youth group, junior youth group, couples counseling, couples groups, couples meetings and social activities to the program clients, alumni and their families.
We have the most effective long term treatment for persons and families affected by addictions. It is not just the quantity of people that have recaptured their lives that measures our success. The varied persons that have passed through our doors form the backbone of Windsor/Essex. Politics to business to industry to agriculture to families, Brentwood has had a tremendous role in helping our citizens form the necessary relationships to make them successful in all these areas, without whom, our present and future would be very different.
For more information on the Brentwood Recovery Home, please visit us at:
www.brentwoodrecovery.com