Duane Hicks
The fourth-annual “Chefs’ Charitable Dinner and Auction” here Sunday evening ended up being very successful, raising an estimated $6,200 for further promotion of Alzheimer awareness and education.
“This has been our highest amount raised to date,” Margaret Schonewille, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River District, enthused yesterday.
“A special thanks goes out to our chefs, volunteers, the Legion ladies for their great skit, Faye Flatt for sharing her music with us, our community donors, and our guests,” she added.
“This truly was a night to remember.”
The dinner, which drew about 90 people, featured appetizers, soup, salad, rolls, a gourmet entrée, and desserts prepared by chefs from both the Rainy River and Kenora districts, with food donated by area businesses.
There also was a silent auction and a balloon raffle.
B93•fm morning show host Christa Pare was emcee for the evening while Richard McKinnon of the local NDP constituency office was honourary chef.
The evening also featured musical entertainment by Flatt, a local Alzheimer Society director, as well as a comedy skit/song, “Seven Old Ladies Stuck in the John,” performed by a group of local Legion ladies.
Schonewille also gave an update on Alzheimer Society activities in the region Sunday night, noting she’s still looking for area shutterbugs to contribute photos to its next cash calendar.
She is looking for pictures that showcase the Kenora and Rainy River districts. There is no payment or prize if your photo is used, but you will receive credit for it— and your photo will be seen by everyone who buys a calendar.
The deadline for photo entries is Tuesday, Feb. 17. The calendar then will be put together, printed, and ready for sale by April.
To find out how to get an entry form to submit your photo, call Schonewille at 1-800-682-0245 or e-mail her at alzheimers@kenora.com
Schonewille also reminded the public that the society set up its first respite centre for those taking care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s in Kenora.
The centre—a former Abitibi-Consolidated medical centre for the now-closed paper mill there—was donated to the Alzheimer Society by the company.
Though based in Kenora, Schonewille noted the respite centre is available for use by any of the Alzheimer Society clients in the two districts, including those visiting from Fort Frances.
Noting that she and her
husband, Dick, can’t cover the entire Kenora-Rainy River District by themselves anymore, the Alzheimer Society has hired a helper in the Dryden area.
Schonewille now is looking for an Alzheimer’s awareness educator for the Fort Frances area, and encouraged anyone with training in that medical area to contact her about the position.
Other fundraisers
The local Alzheimer Society also held the Linda Johnston Memorial roast beef dinner at the Rainy River Legion on Saturday night—a sold-out event which brought in $3,234, also their highest-ever total, noted Schonewille.
And its annual “Penny for Your Thoughts” weigh-in at Canadian Tire this past Friday and Saturday also went very well, she added.
A total of 426 pounds of copper was donated—more than double last year’s total of 181 pounds.
Gizhewaadiziwin Access Centre staff and clients donated 74 pounds of pennies while Denise Miller turned in 33 pounds, making them the top group and individual donors, respectively.
Looking down the road, the popular Alzheimer Society used book sale will take place at Revco Carpet here on Thursday, Feb. 26 and Friday, Feb. 27 during store hours and again Saturday, Feb. 28 until 1 p.m.
Please drop off your books at Revco Carpet after Feb. 17.
As well, the annual “Walk for Memories” fundraiser is slated for Saturday, May 23 in Rainy River, starting at the Royal Canadian Legion, and then Sunday, May 24 leaving from the Super 8 Motel here in Fort Frances.
A “tag day” also is planned for Friday, June 19, with volunteers being needed.
Let the Alzheimer Society know if you can donate two hours of you time to help with this event by calling 1-800-682-0245.
Proceeds from all fundraising events of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River District go towards further promotion of Alzheimer awareness and education in both districts—not to a provincial or national organization.
