Duane Hicks
It’s clear district residents are getting into the idea of community “tag” with “acts of kindness.”
As of yesterday, more than 100 “acts of kindness” have been donated, with more coming in, to be sold off at the “Acts of Kindness Benefit” coming up Friday, Dec. 3 at the Fort Frances Legion.
“If you are looking for ideas for ‘acts of kindness’ you can contribute, gift wrapping, grass cutting, car detailing, or dog-walking are possibilities,” said Tannis Drysdale, an organizer of the benefit that’s a fundraiser for the “Community Chest.”
“How about an offer to do Christmas shopping? There may be a guy or two who might want a hand with this come Dec. 21,” she added.
“There are endless possibilities of services that can be ‘acts of kindness’ that will help other people.”
Everyone is invited to join in the game. Just donate your “act of kindness,” then send family and neighbours an e-mail letting them know you have donated and say, “You’re it!”
You can “tag” your friends on Facebook. Send pictures of you tagging your friends, or a picture of you with a symbol of your “act of kindness” to thefort@fortfrances-chamber.com
To donate an “act of kindness,” contact Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce manager Anthony Mason at 274-5773, in person at 474 Scott St., or via e-mail at thefort@fortfrances-chamber.com
Or fill out the form online at www.acts-of-kindness.ca (there is a direct link to this through the Times’ website at www.fftimes.com).
The benefit, which starts at 6 p.m., will feature a turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, along with some live entertainment.
There will be sales of the “acts of kindness,” as well as live auctions (all items for sale and auction will be listed in the Dec. 1 edition of the Fort Frances Times).
All proceeds, in turn, will be donated to the Fort Frances “Community Chest,” which provides financial aid to local families to cover travel-related medical expenses.
Tickets cost $30 each, which are available at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, Rainy River Future Development Corp. office, and Northwoods Gallery & Gifts.
The VIP round tables of eight are sold out, but a few VIP long tables of 10 are being sold for $325 through the Chamber.
VIP tables offer reserved seating with the people of your choice.
“The ticket sales are going very well,” noted Drysdale. “We expect them to be sold out by early next week.”
One of the perks of attending the benefit will be the chance to buy “acts of kindness” as Christmas gifts.
“Every hairstylist at Celeste’s has donated a haircut and style,” said co-organizer Wanda Botsford. “Almost every law office donated some legal services or a cash donation.
“So, if you think someone in your family should have a will and powers of attorney, you can purchase the ‘act of kindness’ of one of our local lawyers,” she noted.
“If you have a friend, family member, or a widow down the street who could use some help around the house, you could purchase handyman services of Mike Leatherdale for four hours,” Botsford continued.
“If you have people coming to visit, you can purchase a catered dinner for six by Todd Moxham, which will include a salad starter, main course, and a dessert, of which all can be either dropped off or served and cleaned up.
“For entertaining your guests, you could go on a sightseeing airplane flight over Rainy Lake that was generously donated by Rusty Myers.
“Your gift could be memory-making for your family, or perfect for the man in your life and his guests, with a fishing trip at Ross’s Camp, Kabeelo Lodge, or Grassy Narrows Lodge,” she added.
Bids will be taken on each of the fishing trips in advance.
The final auction on each trip will occur at the event, which also will be broadcast live on the Internet.
If someone wishes, bids will be accepted in advance of the evening by contacting the Chamber by Thursday, Dec. 2.
