By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
The Thamesville Sertoma Club was rewarded for their many years of support to the Festival of Giving.
Event co-chairs Chris McLeod and Tim Regan announced a $10,000 donation to the Thamesville Sertoma Club from proceeds at the recent 20th annual Festival of Giving.
“They are a major component of our volunteer committee, providing hours and hands for set up and down and general assistance,” McLeod told The Ridgetown Independent News. “Mike (Wright) makes a point to get to the meetings and find where the group can fill in.”
“Need a trailer picked up; Mike’s got it covered,” McLeod said. “Need tables moved, Sertoma is there.”
“The group might not be very visible at the event, but they’ve always been a huge part in set up and tear down on a year-to-year basis,” McLeod added.
The 20th annual Festival of Giving was held on June 3 at the Sons of Kent Brewery in Chatham with the theme of Retro Rewind as guests were treated to a gourmet meal, entertainment and a number of activities to raise money for local causes.
This year was the first in-person event since 2019, as $47,500 was raised from the night’s proceeds and sponsors. The FoG was held virtually for the last three years.
The Chatham-Kent Youth Wellness Hub Ontario, YWHO (formerly known as ACCESS Open Minds), was this year’s main beneficiary as it received $35,000. YWHO is a walk-in centre on King St. W. in Chatham offering free service and programs for youth ages 12-25, helping them to connect with mental health supports, substance use care, primary care, housing and other community and social services.
The Santa for Seniors program received $2,500.
The Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent was the main beneficiary of the FoG over the years but opted to go a different route as it ran its own Gala For Kids on April 1.
The Festival of Giving was started by current Mayor Darrin Canniff 22 years ago and was held in a church basement before relocating first to the Kinsmen Auditorium and then to the Bradley Centre.
This was the first FoG at Sons of Kent.
