The I Was Thirsty outreach mission is deeply grateful to announce a generous corporate donation from RBC, presented by Mallory Heerema to mission founder, Lorne Clifford. This contribution will directly support the distribution of safe, bottled water into the hands of people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability in Thunder Bay.
RBC’s support comes at a critical time. The I Was Thirsty mission has already delivered thousands of litres of clean water to those most in need, relying on volunteers, community donations, and grassroots commitment. With RBC’s contribution, the mission can continue expanding its reach, ensuring that dignity and compassion are extended through something as simple—but vital—as a bottle of safe water.
RBC’s corporate purpose is clear: helping clients thrive and communities prosper. Their vision and values are centered on creating meaningful impact where it matters most—supporting people, building stronger communities, and addressing urgent needs. This donation reflects those commitments in action, as water security and access to safe resources remain pressing concerns for many.
Through this partnership, RBC demonstrates the power of corporate citizenship: when local businesses and national institutions work hand-in-hand with grassroots missions, real change happens.
On behalf of the I Was Thirsty mission, sincere thanks are extended to RBC and Mallory Heerema for recognizing the importance of this outreach. Their support reinforces that compassion and community leadership are essential for reconciliation, equity, and inclusion—values that align closely with the mission’s work.
Together, we are proving that small acts of kindness, combined with corporate commitment, can make a life-saving difference.
For the past ten days, I WAS THIRSTY mission operations have been in the capable hands of Aiden Masdea. Aiden has taken charge of getting the water in the hands of our clients while arranging our volunteers!
His leadership has allowed me to step back from the day-to-day and focus on some exciting new developments that will help move I Was Thirsty into its next chapter.
With a little extra breathing room, I’ve been able to put energy into two new initiatives:
Both of these pages reflect what has always been at the heart of I WAS THIRSTY turning compassion into concrete action and building a model others can carry forward.
But what I’m most excited to share is this: today we began filming a documentary about the mission.
My long-time friend and colleague Alan Auld, owner of Imagine Films (imaginefilms.ca), arrived today with his cameras rolling. Alan has a gift for story telling, and together we’re aiming to capture not just the story of what we’ve done so far, but the bigger truth—that access to clean drinking water is both a human right and a call to reconciliation.
This film will celebrate the volunteers and partners who’ve made the work possible, but more importantly, it will shine a light on how this mission can be replicated anywhere in Canada.
Our hope is that the documentary becomes both a record and a rallying cry.
As the first frames are captured, I can’t help but feel the mission itself has entered a new phase: moving from action into story, and from story into inspiration for others.
Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the filming process as we go. The best way to honour what’s been built is to ensure it spreads far beyond Thunder Bay!
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