Dismaying response

To the editor:
On Dec. 27, a social took place at the Memorial Arena. In spite of weeks of signage around the area and advertisements on Channel 9, in the Fort Frances Times, and on CFOB, the event was far from a success.
This event was organized to raise funds for the Atikokan Crisis Centre. Because I believe it to be a very worthy organization, I spent more than 30 hours organizing and staging the social. But the turnout was so poor that, after expenses, the Crisis Centre would have been nearly $500 in debt.
I say “would have been,” which brings me to the purpose of this letter. If not for the generosity of all those involved, this loss would have been absorbed by the Crisis Centre. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the following, all of whom donated all monies owed them–the staff at the social (Brent Burghardt, Maureen Calder, Brad Fairnington, Garry Mathewson, Andy and Joe Hendrikx, and Heather Pryde; and Paul Bock (North Air Services), Roz Calder (Good Impressions), and Jim Cumming (the Times).
Thanks also to Gary Thibault at Memorial Arena for the huge discount on hall rental. I, myself, also donated the fee due for providing the music.
I would like to address one discovery I found rather disturbing. After the social, a number of people asked me how it had went. When told, a dismaying number of them responded with comments such as, “Why didn’t they have it in Atikokan?” or “Why would you have one for the Atikokan Crisis Centre?”
Apparently the regionalism that has plagued this country since its inception has manifested itself on an area as small as our little corner of Ontario. I only point this out because I am so dismayed by how many people responded this way.
A worthy cause is just that–regardless of where it is located. The fact that the Atikokan Crisis Centre serves this whole area seems to be lost, or unimportant to these people.
If you or someone you know needs help in an abusive relationship, you can call the Crisis Centre toll-free at 1-800-465-3348.
If you wish to support women and children in this area who do need our help, please send your donations to the Atikokan Crisis Centre at Box 818, Atikokan, Ont., P0T 1C0. The centre is a registered charity and all donations are tax deductible.
Again, thank you to all those involved with the social whose generosity ensured the event did not become a liability to the centre.
Signed,
Will Baranowski
Yowza Music Services
Emo, Ont.