Duane Hicks
While a little less successful than last year, the Fort Frances Voyageur Lions Club saw its annual “Drive-Thru Breakfast” fundraiser bring in dollars for a good cause last Thursday at Tim Hortons here.
This year’s “Drive-Thru” grossed about $2,000, which allowed the Voyageur Lions to donate a cheque for $1,500 to the local “Rachel’s Challenge” program that evening, said club secretary Val Martindale.
Last year’s event grossed about $2,500.
While the weather Thursday morning was “horrible,” it “didn’t stop people from coming through,” noted club member Jim Martindale, adding they saw a mix of new faces and perennial supporters.
As in past years, motorists were encouraged to drive into the Tim Hortons’ parking lot last Thursday morning, make a donation, and get a coffee and muffin donated by Tim Hortons.
They also received a bag containing a piece of fruit, a water bottle, a breakfast bar, pens, pencils, and key chains, along with numerous coupons and gifts from more than 40 local businesses.
About one in every six bags contained an additional prize, ranging from designer watches and travel bags to beauty care products, coffee mugs, and a variety of gift certificates.
The top prize this year was a Honeywell console humidifier valued at more than $400, donated by Shoppers Home Health Care.
It was won by Lorelei Smith, whose birthday happened to be last Thursday.
“We had good support from the community,” said Jim Martindale.
His wife, Val, added there were some new sponsors who helped out the fundraiser this year , which was a good way for them to promote their business.
This was the eighth “Drive-Thru Breakfast” for the Voyageur Lions, and Val Martindale said the public can expect to see it back again next year.
As mentioned above, proceeds from this year’s event went towards the anti-bullying program, “Rachel’s Challenge.”
It was developed by the family of Rachel Scott, who was the first victim of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999.
