The spirit of giving is in the air as businesses in the Northwest find ways to give back to their communities.
Reid’s Furniture North America Business performance group inspired Scott Reid and his staff in Thunder Bay to develop a unique awareness and donation campaign for multiple charity organizations.
The Arthritis Society, Thunder Bay and District Humane Society, Pro Kids, DEK Foundation, Dilico Make a Wish Campaign, Team Werks (St. Joseph’s Care Group), Shelter House and the Chartwell Foundation are among eight organizations participating in the initiative.
Jessica Bershatsky, Reid’s Furniture marketing manager, explained how the charities were invited to provide a decorated Christmas tree that would be displayed in the furniture store between Dec. 3-14.
“People are coming in with non-perishable food items, and voting on the Christmas tree or the charity that they like the best by placing their food items under their tree choice,” Bershatsky said. “Whichever charity tree has the most food items will win $5,000 courtesy of Scott Reid.
Each voter’s name is entered into a draw for a chance to win one of four prizes; Stressless chair, La-Z-Boy rocker recliner, Decorest swivel chair or a Durham Cheval mirror. To “make sure that no charity goes home empty-handed,” the public is encouraged to bid online for a chance to take their favourite tree home at the end of the campaign.
“Not only are we just hosting one charity and bringing awareness about them, we have eight different charities that a lot of us are very passionate about,” she said. “Our sales manager’s wife, for example, has rheumatoid arthritis, and so we asked the Arthritis Society to participate. Another sales member’s passion is the Humane Society so we asked them to be here.
Bershatsky added that the giving spirit is also taking place at their sister company Ashley Furniture, also owned and operated by Reid.
“If you bring in a new toy or monetary donation for the Toys For Tots campaign, you can have your picture taken with Santa, this Saturday,” she said. “You will also get your name entered for a chance to win an Ashley rocker-recliner.
10th annual Charity Pints program
In Kenora, the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company will help to feed school children on weekends with their 10th annual Charity Pints program.
Audrey Manzie, brewery owner, said they partnered with Nutrition on Weekends, which helps participating schools send bagged lunches home with children so they have something to eat on weekends.
“We are proud to support this program and to jump on board with other local businesses and individuals who are helping kids in our community,” Manzie said. “We pick a craft beer and the featured pint is on tap, for all to enjoy. We then donate 25 cents from every featured pint sold in the taproom throughout December. This year the brewery chose its raspberry ginger ale, which they call The Beer With No Name, for the featured pints. Participating schools in the Kenora district will benefit from the program.
