Staff
The “Goodbye Winter—Hello Spring” social to benefit the “Community Chest” here Friday night was a big hit, netting more than $17,000 to help district families with medical expenses.
The fundraiser sold a total of 284 tickets, drawing people of all ages not only from Fort Frances, but Emo, Rainy River, and parts in between, to the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium.
The money was raised through ticket sales, auction sales, and direct donations.
Live and silent auction items, as well as penny table raffle prizes, were donated by a wide range of district businesses and individuals.
Of special note was the on-line fishing trip auction for five different trips donated by Hanson’s King Island Lodge, KaBeelo Lodge, Camp Narrows Lodge, Grassy Narrows Camp, and Ross’ Camps (Loonhaunt fly-in outpost), which collectively brought in $5,600 of the $17,000 total.
Telford Advent did the honours of conducting the live auction.
The social also featured live music by the “Mud Lake City Boys” (Jim Avis, Bill McEvoy, Jim Newman, and Bill Shine), “Phoenix Project” (Melanie Bodnar, Romeo Duguay, Geoff Gillon, and Lance Whalen, with special guest John Faith), and “Centre-Line” (Geoff Gillon, Tony Marinaro, Wesley Morrisseau, and Merle Perreault).
The “Community Chest” helps families living anywhere from Mine Centre to Rainy River, and north to Nestor Falls.
Last year, it handed out 139 cheques to individuals totalling $79,299.21.
