While organizers agreed the annual “Community Chest” benefit dinner Sunday night at La Place Rendez-Vous was a definite success, seeing 275 people come together and raise $16,200 to provide financial aid to local families who may need help to cover medical costs, it also was a time for Aileen Brown to send a message.
And that message was something that some who benefit from the “Community Chest” know about well—organ donations and transplants.
The need for organ donors is great because, as of Dec. 31, 2003, 40 people in Ontario were on a waiting list for a heart transplant, 1,302 were waiting for kidneys, and 334 for livers, said Brown.
Her granddaughter, Amanda Jerry, was a young local woman who received a lung transplant several years ago but still passed away afterwards.
Brown noted as the statistics stand now, the average person in Ontario is more likely to need an organ transplant than to be an organ donor. She also stressed only one-sixth of the transplants in Ontario come from organs donated by Ontarians—the rest have to come from out of province.
While she pushed people to seriously consider organ donation, it is not a decision to be taken lightly.
“You have to want to do it. It’s a very private and personal gift of love to humanity,” remarked Brown, adding a person’s family should always be consulted.
But those who do want to donate organs should know that you’re rarely too young or old to do it—it’s the health of the organs that matters most.
Brown added specific organs and tissues can be donated before or after death, and that one’s whole body (cadaver) could donated for scientific research.
She noted these practices are approved by most major religions, and that the procedures to remove organs are discreet so that an open casket funeral is not a problem.
As for Brown, she also has made the decision to be an organ donor.
“My life has been saved twice in the past year. So, I’ve decided to donate my body to science,” she noted, reasoning that if the doctors who saved her learned medical procedures from cadavers, she should return the favour.
“If they can find something to look at in this old fossil, that’s good,” she chuckled.
More information on how to be an organ donor can be found at various health agencies, including the Northwestern Health Unit on Scott Street.
Meanwhile, the guest speaker of the evening, former Fort Frances mayor Glenn Witherspoon, spoke on long-term growth strategies for the region—ground he covered as chair of the Northwestern Ontario “Smart Growth” panel for the past couple of years.
He noted that while the population trend actually is seeing Ontarians growing in numbers, the numbers here—except for First Nations—are on the decline.
Witherspoon said the “Smart Growth” panel, which released its findings last year, determined retaining youth must be the region’s highest priority and this should be accomplished—among other means—by providing training centres and apprenticeship programs here.
Other ideas to ensure the region’s vitality include freeing up Crown land for private development, introducing “Grow Bonds” (investment bonds that support the region), ensuring all-weather road access across the region, and business partnerships with First Nations.
He said Fort Frances is in “good shape,” with suitable infrastructure and a lot to offer (such as the Townshend Theatre, Memorial Sports Centre, new businesses opening, and high-speed Internet), but that the community must not forget the suggestions made by the “Smart Growth” panel when thinking of the century ahead.
In between some good-natured ribbing of people like local MPP Howard Hampton, Linda Blanc, emcee Larry Cousineau, and Tom Reid, Witherspoon also noted he’s glad to see the “Community Chest” continue to raise funds year-after-year.
“I’ve never had the misfortune of having to use it. But I’ve known people who have who’ve benefited greatly,” he remarked.
He mentioned that while Sunday night’s dinner may have coincided with the Grammy Awards on TV, the people in this community were the real award winners.
As mentioned above, the evening was deemed a success by all.
“It went extremely well,” enthused Georges Blanc, who helped organize the dinner as both co-owner of the Rendez-Vous and a member of the local Knights of Columbus.
“I think we probably raised as much as we had at any other one of these dinners,” he added.
Last year’s dinner brought in about $14,000.
The funds raised included proceeds from dinner tickets ($6,550), with the balance coming from auctions and raffles.
The live auction alone brought in $4,320, with the top items being a diamond bracelet from Brockie’s Jewellers and an Adirondack furniture set donated by Blanc.
And as always, dinner guests had lots to bid on—with a slew of items donated by local businesses and individuals up for bid in both the silent and live auctions.
All of the food served at the benefit supper was donated by local businesses and individuals to reduce costs and thus maximize proceeds. And Rendez-Vous staff donated their time to work at the dinner.
The Muskie cheerleaders also volunteered their time and helped staff serve Sunday night’s meal.
The “Community Chest” benefit dinner is organized each year by members of the local KCs, Kiwanis, and Lions clubs, the “Spirit of Christmas” committee, and the Rendez-Vous staff.
Leaders of the constituent groups that make up the “Community Chest” all gave brief speeches on its importance and how much they look forward to supporting the charity in the year ahead.
“I hope that our organization always has a place with the ‘Community Chest,’” remarked Kiwanis president Rob Tovey.
“Thanks to everyone, we’re all winners with this,” said Dick Bird, president of the Fort Frances Lions Club. “It’s comforting to know if someone needs this service, it’s out there.”
Cecil Duffy, with the local Knights of Columbus, said the KCs here may have been founded back in 1936, but surely will continue to thrive as long as there’s causes like the “Community Chest” to support.
“I’m very proud to be part of this organization,” said a tearful Linda Hamilton, who spoke on behalf of the “Spirit of Christmas.”
Also Sunday night, Blanc and Hamilton gave out three plaques to guests who have made considerable contributions to the charity in one way or another over the years.
Auctioneer Telford Advent, who Blanc says always pays for his own ticket, was given a plaque, as were Lois and Ernie Thompson of Ernest Thompson Distributors for donating food to the dinner.
And Helen Pohanka, representing the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary Br. #29, got a plaque because the Legion ladies have contributed financially to the “Community Chest” in the past, including donating $5,000 to the cause just this past December.
Laureen Vandetti, on behalf of the “Spirit of Christmas” committee, also handed over a cheque for $6,020 to the “Community Chest” on Sunday night. This amount is above the $16,200 raised at the dinner.
“Basically, we’re depositing $22,000 in the bank today [Monday] or tomorrow [Tuesday],” said Blanc.
The “Community Chest” disbursed a total of 64 cheques in 2003, totalling $33,522.91. As of Jan. 1, 2004, its coffers contained $80,532.62.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
