A Letter from Friend & Leader of The Hammer Band, Benjy Katchen

It’s hard to believe that my time as Chair of The Hammer Band has come to an end. It has been my great privilege to support this organization and work with this extraordinary group of people in support of children across the GTA.

Looking back over the last 10+ years, I am proud of our accomplishments, many of which are still unfolding. It’s not my intention to review a list of achievements. I would rather take this opportunity to offer some impressions around the work that The Hammer Band does and how it continues to engage and deliver exceptional programming during the good times as well as the challenging periods. 

What comes to mind, first and foremost, is the strong and active engagement of schools, students, funders, volunteers, staff and Board of Directors during the Covid 19 pandemic. Coming together to strategically find ways to continue programming virtually is a great example of our ability to think ‘out of the box’ but more than that, it’s a very real example of just how important what we do is to our children!

In joining The Hammer Band, it was clear to me that the program was something great with huge potential to do impactful work. My value add would be creating the convergence of business acumen with an organization that already had a great heart and sense of purpose. I have seen the impact of this work in many areas, most notably in the growth of our partner schools; we’ve gone from 10 schools to 45. That’s a jump from 250 children per year to approximately 1,100. Over the course of 10 years, we’ve worked with thousands of children and their families, in and around the GTA. I take great pride in the role I’ve played here and I look forward to continuing to see the impact that we bring especially as we are able to deliver our services back in person again.

I believe that leadership and Board renewal are keys to healthy organizations, and for me this is no exception.  Therefore, I am truly pleased to pass the torch to Melonie Dixon who will succeed me as Board Chair. I have had the privilege of working with Melonie over many years and have no doubt that her smarts, energy and infectious enthusiasm will provide the Board leadership that the Hammer Band needs at this juncture and into the future.

Let me conclude on a note of thanks:

• I would like to express my gratitude to Moshe Hammer, our Founder and Executive Director, for all of his support and his confidence in my ability to play a worthwhile role with The Hammer Band.
• My sincere thanks and best wishes go out to my colleagues on the Board of Directors. It has been my pleasure to work with every one of you.
• Our funders, and partners make all the work possible and I’d like to pay tribute to all of you for your decisions to support The Hammer Band.
• The school Principals, Teachers and volunteers for the work you do connecting us with the children
• Most importantly, I want to acknowledge our Hammer Band children and their families. It is watching what you do, where you go in life and how you are better humans as a result of being involved in the Hammer Band that has inspired me all these years and continues to inspire me.

It has been my privilege to chair the Board of Directors of The Hammer Band. Thank you for the confidence and trust that you placed in me and know that I am always watching, listening and celebrating all that you accomplish!