Date set for ‘Community Chest’ dinner

FORT FRANCES—The seventh-annual “Community Chest” benefit dinner has been scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18 at La Place Rendez-Vous, and organizers once again are hoping to raise lots of money to help district families facing medical expenses.
Georges Blanc, who helps organize the dinner as both co-owner of the Rendez-Vous and a member of the local Knights of Columbus, said tickets will go on sale next week.
“We really want to impress to people to get their tickets early,” stressed Blanc. “We have corporate tables, but every year we have people who want tickets, they wait too long, and they’re gone.”
Tickets cost $30 each or $300 for a table of 10 (which can be reserved in advance). They will be available at the Rendez-Vous and Cousineau Brokers.
Blanc added while the tickets still are being printed, those who want to make sure they get some can call either the Rendez-Vous (274-9811) or Cousineau’s (274-9891) right now to reserve them.
A total of 275 tickets will be available for the perennially sold-out event.
(While you can’t get a tax receipt for the meal tickets, you can get them for cash donations made to the “Community Chest”).
Blanc also noted there likely will be a guest speaker for the dinner, but that person still is being confirmed.
The dinner once again will feature both live and silent auctions, as well as raffles.
Blanc said Alan Zucchiatti and Luke Schill are rounding up items for the auctions. These items can be donated by individuals, businesses, or groups, and can be new or homemade.
In the past, donated items have ranged from blankets and quilts to carvings, furniture, and painted mailboxes.
Those who want to donate auction items or prizes to the “Community Chest” dinner can contact Zucchiatti (274-8537) or Schill (274-6235).
Telford Advent will get the bids going during the live auction while Larry Cousineau once again will emcee the event.
Cocktails will be served at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6.
All of the food served is donated by the Rendez-Vous’ suppliers to reduce costs and thus maximize proceeds while the staff donates their time to work that night.
The benefit dinner is a co-operative effort of the Rendez-Vous staff, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the local Kiwanis and Lions clubs, 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. Blanc noted it usually spends between $50,000-60,000 a year helping those in need.
Last year’s dinner drew more than 270 people and raised over $23,000.
The fundraiser normally brings in between $16,000 and $18,000, but had an even higher total in 2006 thanks to a large one-time donation from the Legion Ladies Auxiliary.