By Lauren Davis

HAMILTON, ON - On Aug. 10, 2025 the Really Living Centre and Seventh-day Adventist Church located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada hosted their fourth annual Family Fun Day – a free community event designed to provide an afternoon of activities for children and their families.

“Community means a lot to us,” said volunteer and church member Donald Medeiros. “It’s not just about church, we want to build friendships so we can reach them for Christ one day.” 

The event featured a petting zoo, a photo booth, indoor and outdoor bouncy inflatables, face painting, rock climbing, cotton candy, and popcorn, all available at no cost for guests. 

The first Family Fun Day was held in 2019, the same year the building was inaugurated. The event paused from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2023, with no plans to stop.

“We want every member in our church to be involved, and we want the community to know who we are,” said Medeiros. 

The Really Living Centre is open six to seven days a week and offers fitness programs, sports programs, and youth group events. Two families with children in the soccer camp program run by Medeiros, attended Family Fun Day and expressed their appreciation to the people they have interacted with within the church. 

“My two sons have had a great time with the soccer program and everyone is always really kind and friendly,” said Karen Wong, mother of Really Living soccer camp participants. 

“Everyone is super welcoming – it feels like a family,” said Lindsay McDowell, mother of Really Living soccer camp participants. 

This community-focused spirit embraces a broader initiative known as Total Member Involvement (TMI), a program launched in 2015 by the General Conference (GC) under former president Ted N.C. Wilson. The initiative encourages every church member to take part in mission work within their local churches. 

Breanna Medeiros is a high school student who has been actively involved with the church as a volunteer for events such as Vacation Bible School and Family Fun Day. Volunteering this year, she expressed the reasoning behind why she is involved. 

“I like being involved in community events such as this because it makes me realize there are so many different people in the world,” said Medeiros. “Seeing people of all different backgrounds come together is a beautiful experience.” 

Sofia Dell’Erba, a student and daughter of the church’s lead pastor, Frank Dell’Erba, is also a regular volunteer. She expressed admiration for how the church works to make a difference. 

“This is not a typical church,” said Dell’Erba. “We place such a focus on community and it’s really nice to see and be a part of.” 

Among the day’s activities was a visit from a local police officer, who spent the afternoon showing children the inside of a police cruiser and handing out stickers.

“We are here to serve the public, and being involved with our community is the number one thing,” said Hamilton police chief Michael Eleftheriou. 

As a surprise for attendees, he brought along a special guest: Brandon Banks, a former wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

“When the opportunity came up to attend this event, I called Brandon to come as a surprise guest,” Eleftheriou said. “There were no questions asked — he made himself available.”

It was the first time either Banks or Eleftheriou had visited the Really Living Centre, and both said they were glad to be part of the event.

“This is a nice event with great people and great food,” Banks said. “I just want to show my appreciation by giving back, talking to kids and providing hope.”

Providing hope is central to the mission of the Really Living Centre, and event coordinator Brenda DeMedeiros shared her core reason for organizing Family Fun Day.

“The reason we are here as a church is to make some sort of impact in our community,” said DeMedeiros. “Letting them know who we are, and most importantly, who they are in God’s eyes.”

During this year’s General Conference Session, church leaders were introduced to a strategic plan for the 2025–30 “I Will Go” initiative.  It is a call for all churches and members around the globe to engage in mission work. Family Fun Day at the Really Living Centre serves as a reminder that mission work begins in the local church community.

One young girl attending the event offered a simple but meaningful summary. 

“My favourite thing is getting to know everybody, playing and getting along.”