Have a cup of java for a good cause

The Alzheimer Society has launched a fundraising initiative in Fort Frances, urging area businesses to sell coffee to raise money for a good cause.
The fundraising strategy has a two-pronged approach.
First, some businesses in the community will be selling paper coffee cup cut-outs people can purchase for a dollar. Their name will go on the cup—similar to the Easter Seals Easter Egg campaign—to show their support for the cause.
The Buck-a-Cup fundraiser is being run locally at the Northern Lights Credit Union, TD Canada Trust, Tammi’s Flowers, Cards and Gifts, Royal Bank, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, KFC, A&W, Bonnie Blue, and Pharmasave.
The second portion of the java-related fundraising is called “Coffee Break.”
Area businesses that don’t have a large number of customers coming in and out of their establishment each day can opt to hold a special Coffee Break Day.
Though scheduled to run Thursday, Sept. 18, businesses can choose a day that suits their needs.
“I don’t care which day,” said Margaret Schonewille, executive director for the Alzheimer Society in the Kenora/Rainy River districts. “They can pick the day.”
A business interested in participating must contact the Alzheimer Society to receive a “Coffee Break” package, complete with a banner, collection box, and free coffee and cups courtesy of Maxwell House.
Schonewille suggested area restaurants could get involved with the “Coffee Break” fundraiser, too. “Restaurants can give a portion of their morning coffee sales to Alzheimer,” she noted.
All money raised will be used within the district to support Alzheimer Society activities, programs, and services.
“It stays locally,” Schonewille stressed. “We don’t send the money to Thunder Bay or Toronto or anything like that.”
The Alzheimer Society also is hosting a motorcycle ride fundraiser Sept. 6. Called a “Fall Ride,” motorcyclists from across both districts will participate.
“We wanted it to be a district ride,” Schonewille said.
Riders will start in Kenora and Dryden that morning and drive down either Highway 71 or Highway 502 to Fort Frances for lunch.
All riders will meet at La Place Rendez-Vous between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., including those who are participating from here, before heading back to Kenora for a steak dinner along the harbourfront.
“The Kenora mayor will lead the group from [there],” Schonewille added.
“I’ve actually been riding most of my life,” said Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield. “Though I don’t do it a lot anymore.
“It’s an opportunity to get out and go for a bike ride,” he added. “It’s a fantastic cause. I’m pretty excited. I’m looking forward to it.”
To register, riders must pay $15, which includes the steak dinner. However, if they register after Aug. 23, the cost is $20, so it pays to register early. Call 1-807-486-1516 or 1-800-682-0245 to register for all Alzheimer Society fundraisers.
Riders also are encouraged to raise pledges, with top pledge-getters receiving prizes. There also will be prizes for a poker hand each rider will draw.
And if you don’t ride but would like to see the bikes, Schonewille suggested area residents head down to the Rendez-Vous that day for an impromptu shine ’n show.
“If they want to see the bikes, they’re welcome to come down,” she said. “It won’t be a structured thing.”
It will be, though, in Kenora before the steak supper if you are in that neck of the woods that day.