Alzheimer Society gearing up for fundraisers here

With January being recognized as “Alzheimer Awareness Month” across Canada, the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River District has several special events planned this week.
First, area residents can bring all their copper pocket change they’ve accumulated over the last year to the annual “Penny for your thoughts” penny weigh-in fundraiser this Friday and Saturday (Jan. 19-20) at Canadian Tire.
The public is welcome to drop by with collected pennies, donate them, and have them weighed from 12:30-5 p.m. on Friday and again from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Those who turn in the greatest weights will be eligible for prizes (your pennies don’t have to be rolled).
About $500 worth of copper was donated at the last penny weigh-in here.
Meanwhile, some tickets are still available for the local Alzheimer Society’s second-annual “Chefs’ Charitable Dinner and Auction,” which is slated for this Sunday (Jan. 21) at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
Margaret Schonewille, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River District, said Monday that some tickets were still left, but that those interested in attending shouldn’t risk waiting any longer.
Only 100 tickets are being sold.
As previously reported, the dinner will feature a gourmet buffet prepared by chefs from both the Rainy River and Kenora districts, with food donated by area businesses.
“The food is phenomenal,” enthused Schonewille. “There’s enough to fill everyone. I think we could accommodate 150 people with the amount of food we’ve got.”
The chefs’ dinner also will feature silent and live auctions, with the latter being conducted by Atikokan auctioneer Lanny Cross, grandson of Herb Cross.
Mayor Roy Avis will be honourary chef while Mike Alan of B93•FM will emcee.
Any local businesses interested in donating items to the fundraiser are encouraged to call Schonewille at 1-800-682-0245.
Tickets for the dinner are available at the Adventure Inn, La Flambée, Lee Garden, and the Emo Inn, or by calling the Alzheimer Society at 1-800-682-0245.
They cost $50 each (buyers will get a $25 tax receipt).
The inaugural “Chefs’ Charitable Dinner” here last year raised $4,417.
Looking ahead, a third-annual book sale will be held at Revco Carpet here Feb. 8-10.
But those wanting to donate books can start rounding them up now and drop them off there beginning Jan. 22 (but no sooner as they don’t have room for all the books right now).
Last year’s book sale here brought in more than $2,300.