Drawing more than 270 people, the sixth-annual “Community Chest” benefit dinner Sunday night at La Place Rendez-Vous here raised about $23,000 to provide financial aid to local families facing medical expenses.
Some $18,000 of the total included proceeds from the dinner tickets, silent and live auctions, and raffles while a whopping $5,000 came in from a very generous donation by the local Legion Ladies Auxiliary, said Georges Blanc, who helps organize the dinner as both co-owner of the Rendez-Vous and a member of the local Knights of Columbus.
Last year’s benefit dinner drew about 280 people and brought in $19,000. In 2004, the fundraiser garnered about $15,600.
Guest speaker was 2005 “Citizen of the Year” Patti-Jo Reid, who underwent a successful liver transplant operation in 1994. Her family was helped out with a benefit dinner she likened to a precursor to the “Community Chest” event, which now has become an annual event.
Reid stressed the importance of organ donation, and encouraged everyone to strongly consider discussing organ donation with their families and filling out their organ donor card.
Once again, Larry Cousineau was emcee for the evening, keeping the mood light with a few jokes, while Pastor Brian Keffer said grace before the meal was served.
There also were brief presentations by Blanc, Robert Sletmoen of the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club, Sandra Hill of the Fort Frances Lions Club, Don Doupe of the Knights of Columbus, Linda Hamilton of the “Spirit of Christmas” committee, and Sylvia Gunderson of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary Br. #29.
All of them pledged their continued support as partners in the “Community Chest” and Gunderson, on behalf of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, handed over a cheque for $5,000 to Blanc to go to the “Community Chest.”
There also were two presentations of certificates of gratitude to two long-time supporters of the “Community Chest” fundraiser dinner—Sysco Food Service Inc. and the Town of Fort Frances.
These were accepted by Tony Buchel and Coun. Tannis Drysdale, respectively.
The evening concluded with a live auction conducted by Telford Advent. This, along with a silent auction, penny auction, and “Baker’s Dozen” raffle, featured numerous prizes donated by local business and individuals.
The item that fetched the highest price of the evening was a quilt donated by Shelly DeGagne ($400).
The evening also included numerous raffles, including the draw for the Canada Safeway groceries-for-a-year raffle. Cecil Duffy of the Knights of Columbus and Susan Martin, who is on the waiting list to get a heart transplant, made the draw.
Seth Bird won $5,200 in Canada Safeway gift certificates while Shirley Brown and Gerald Cousineau got $500 and $300 in gift certificates, respectively.
This raffle was a fundraiser for the “Community Chest,” which was chosen as Canada Safeway’s charity for the year back in the fall.
As in past years, Rendez-Vous staff donated their time to prepare and serve the meal. This time around, they were helped out by members of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.
As well, all of the food served was donated by the Rendez-Vous’ suppliers to reduce costs and thus maximize proceeds.
The “Community Chest” benefit dinner is organized each year by members of the local KCs, Kiwanis, and Lions clubs, the “Spirit of Christmas” committee, Legion Ladies Auxiliary Br. #29, and the Rendez-Vous staff.
Last year, the “Community Chest” gave out 157 cheques to individuals in need totalling $69,458.53.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
