A personal note to start this message, which should be all about encouraging Craig Bay to donate to our annual fall fundraiser in support of our local Salvation Army. I will get to that, but first:
I want to start with some heartfelt gratitude for the support that I have gotten during the last six weeks of this campaign. My husband and I had the opportunity to travel to Europe for 5 weeks. I knew that I could easily send in weekly missives and reminders about the food drive while gone, but needed help on the home front with food pick ups. In stepped (jumped) Jane Peverett, who organized, ( or should I say galvanized) a team of ladies, who take a turn each day to pick up donated goods from the office and get them to the storage centre. A big early shout out to Maureen Maitland, Sheila Durnin, Anne Taylor, Marion Woodward, Mariette Calvert and Darlene Mallen.
At the storage centre, Joan McCully weighs, sorts and tabulates the goods. Joan keeps track of items that are needed more than others, so I can report the needs. Allison Siemens, our office coordinator, technical wonder, and all round cheer leader of all things Craig Bay, makes my words look good and keeps the poster (done by Bill Webb) up to date.
Jane has also secured a team of Craig Bay guys, led by Dick Arnold, to do the pick up of the donations from the storage to our giveaway spot in front of the club house on November 17.
Jane has also made it her mission to secure donations from Shopper’s Drug Mart and Bosley’s and they have given in spades to help our cause.
Jane also organized the tour of the Food Bank, taking her team to meet the coordinator, Linda Cherewyk, and find out the inner working of this place that helps so many in our community.
Jane also connected with Gloria Hall who will ensure that we have hot coffee and goodies to share on giveaway day, November 17 at 9:45 am.
I also want to thank Sydney Tomchenko, who wrote, in her inimitable style, a great article for our Thanksgiving email.
Here in Craig Bay, things happen because of teamwork. One person takes the lead, but is bolstered by the volunteers who step up and make the event a success. I am so very grateful for the Food Drive Team, this year led in the main by Jane Peverett! Thank you Jane!! Kudos!!
The same could be said for The Salvation Army. This charity has the least amount of paid leaders and an “army” of volunteers who help to “raise a village” – from the clutches of poverty, drug addiction and may times just bad luck. Our donations keep these volunteers busy doing so much good in our community.
So please, Craig Bay, fill the box in the office, so that Jane’s team has something to pick up each day. Write a cheque made out to The Salvation Army and leave it with Allison. You will get a tax receipt for any amount over $10. We have so much and it takes so little to help an organization help so many.
With gratitude to a great team and a great community,
Penny Rutherford
Chair for The Craig Bay Food Drive Committee
