CORNWALL, Ontario – Rachel’s Kids Garden Party has done a lot of growing since it began 13 years ago.
The event, which helps to raise money for children on a local and global scale, with the House of Hope being the newest venture to benefit.
“We’re raising money for children – a lot of it is going to the House of Hope,” said Dr. Rachel Navaneelan. “ It takes a village to raise a child. Whether they are healthy or whether they are not, they all need our help.”
Hoping to top last year’s total of $150,000, Dr. Navaneelan said she was ‘optimistic’ that they would reach their goal. With over 600 people in attendance, she praised the community for their unwavering support throughout the years.
“It’s getting bigger and bigger, and as usual the community has come out even though the weather is not the very best,” said Dr. Navaneelan. “I’m not surprised – that’s what this community is like.”
Co-chair for this year’s event was none other than 13-year-old Alex Tourangeau, who beat cancer and has since become somewhat of a local hero. With Tourangeau being at the forefront of the event, he says the special attention has been ‘different.’
Local non-profit organization, We 3 Girls also had an exciting announcement to make at the Garden Party, revealing that Rachel’s Kids and House of Hope had been chosen as this year’s benefiting charity for their annual Trunk Sale fundraiser.
“After a long month of processing and reviewing applications, selecting finalists, and meeting and touring facilities, we presented our findings to our panel last Monday,” said Julie Hickman of We 3 Girls. “We very much look forward to working with Dr. Rachel and her team to help raise a very large sum of money for such a worthwhile cause.”
