People once again will get a chance to aid district families facing medical expenses at the annual “Community Chest” benefit dinner, which is slated for Sunday, Feb. 8 this year.
“Last year, we raised about $15,000. We’re hopeful to at least match that, if not surpass it,” said Georges Blanc, who is helping organize the dinner as both coowner of La Place Rendez-Vous, where it is being held, and a member of the local Knights of Columbus.
“This past year will have been the first we spent more money than we brought in,” Blanc added, noting the need for the “Community Chest” becomes more evident each year as the public becomes more and more aware of it.
“It’s interesting,” said Linda Hamilton of the “Spirit of Christmas,” who also helps organize the dinner. “We’ve had to tap into our reserves—and we’ve had some big taps.
“Lots of organizations are using us now when they have nowhere else to turn,” she added. “It’s not always for the full amount [of what they need], but we’ll help out whenever we can.”^The dinner once again will feature both live and silent ones, as well as a plethora of door prizes.
“And Telford Advent has generously donated his time to be an auctioneer,” said Blanc.
Larry Cousineau once again will emcee. A guest speaker still is being lined up.
Tickets, which cost $25 each or $250 for a table of 10 (which can be reserved in advance). Tickets are now available at the Rendez- Vous, Cousineau Brokers, and Rainy Lake Realty.
Blanc noted the dinner sells out, or comes close to it, every year so those interested in attending should get their tickets as soon as possible.
While you can’t get a tax receipt for the meal tickets, you can get them for cash donations, which are more than welcome, he stressed.
Cocktails will be served at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6. All of the food served is donated by local businesses and individuals to reduce costs and thus maximize proceeds.
The dinner is a co-operative effort of the Rendez-Vous staff, the local Kiwanis and Lions clubs, and Knights of Columbus, and the “Spirit of Christmas” committee.
The purpose of the “Community Chest” is to provide financial aid to local families who may need help to cover medical costs, for which it receives requests on a regular basis.
In related news, for those who would like to help out the “Community Chest,” now, tickets still are available for a fundraiser raffle at Safeway, with the grand prize being $100 in groceries every week for a year.
The second- and third-place winners will get $500 and $300 worth of groceries, respectively.
The draw will be made Saturday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. at Safeway.
Tickets cost $5 each, with a total of 3,000 having been printed.
These are available at the customer service desk at Safeway and from “Community Chest” members selling them at the store on weekends.
Safeway raised $55,123.53 for the charity in 2001-02.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
