Heather Latter
More than 20 residents will be heading to “jail” this Saturday (May 11) as the local Voyageur Lions Club hosts its “Jail or Bail” fundraiser at Canadian Tire from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“People have been quite positive about it and have agreed to go into jail,” noted club member Diana Larocque, adding they’ve each been given pledge sheets and must raise $300 in order to get out.
She said Canadian Tire customers will see two people in “jail” throughout the day, hopefully rotating every half-hour—but only if they’ve managed to make bail.
“They’ll stay in jail until they do,” Larocque chuckled.
“So they better have a lot of minutes on their cellphones,” she added, noting people even might pay to keep them in jail.
While those who have agreed to go to jail already have been collecting pledges, Larocque said there still are a few open spots on their schedule.
So if other people want to be “locked up,” they are more than welcome to join in.
“If people want to make a donation and go into jail, the more the merrier,” she enthused.
“It will be a lot more fun.”
Larocque also said Canadian Tire owner Rick Smith has been a great help with the event.
On hand throughout the day will be the auxiliary police and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Larocque also is hoping the local ambulance service and fire department will stop by.
“The whole parking lot is just going to be buzzing,” she remarked. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
93.1 The Border will be on location with live feeds so people will be able to hear what is going on over the course of the event.
There also will be a silent auction and a Mother’s Day hanging flower basket up for grabs.
“Anyone who buys anything at Canadian Tire, their name will be put into a draw,” Larocque noted.
“But if they don’t buy anything, they can still make a donation and put their name in.”
In addition, Voyageur Lions members will be accepting registrations for the Fort Frances Purina Walk for Dog Guides on June 2 or for anyone wishing to join the club.
“Because we are a small group, we have to continuously do fundraisers,” Larocque explained.
“We’re always asked for help in the community and a lot of times we can’t meet those needs,” she admitted.
“So we’re hopeful this fundraiser will generate a lot of funds.”
All the money raised will go toward projects supported by the Voyageur Lions Club.
“We’re inundated with requests from the public to help out with various things,” Larocque reiterated.
She said the club helps fund the dog guide program, collects eye glasses, supports vision screening clinics, and assists with Meals on Wheels.
It also offers support to Special Olympics, swim teams, and squash clubs—just to name a few.
“The money stays in the community to help people in the community,” Larocque stressed.
