Staff
Why not skip the Corn Flakes on Thursday morning and instead head to the Fort Frances Voyageur Lions Club’s annual “Drive-Thru Breakfast” at Tim Hortons.
Running from 6-9 a.m., the Lions will be offering 200 bonus breakfast bags, along with coffee and a muffin, for a minimum donation of $10.
Lion Bill Michl said 42 local businesses have donated gift certificates and prizes.
He noted quite a few merchants donated gift certificates and gift cards, including one for $100 from M&M Meats, as well as backpacks, water bottles, and hats.
While there’s no big-ticket prizes this year, sponsors have donated more smaller ones and overall, the value of each bag has increased, added Michl.
“The bags are worth $40 even without a major prize,” he remarked.
This is the 10th year for the “Drive-Thru Breakfast.”
The Lions have used the funds raised from this event to support local youth groups, including the Leo Club at Fort Frances High School.
The club bought a special bicycle for a blind student, and has supported special initiatives such as “Rachel’s Challenge,” the adaptive technology centre at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre, and the “Together We Can” campaign to buy new digital mammography equipment at La Verendrye Hospital.
This year, a portion of the proceeds from the “Drive-Thru Breakfast” will be donated towards the purchase of a replacement mechanical lift at the Emo Health Centre and an IV pump for the Rainy River Health Centre.
Proceeds also will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Michl said part of the Lions’ mandate is to help the vision-impaired and prevent blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the world and a big problem in Northwestern Ontario, in particular.
A minimum donation of $10 is suggested for each bag, although people are welcome to donate more if they wish.
Michl offered one piece of advice to those planning on supporting the “Drive-Thru Breakfast.”
“The earlier you get your bag, the better because once we’re out, we’re out,” he warned.
