CORNWALL, Ontario – The weather was ideal, as the community came out by the hundreds, on Saturday, for the 11th annual garden party fundraiser, hosted by Rachel’s Kids, a local charity dedicated to helping children locally and internationally.
“We’re very happy that people have come out in spite of the fact that there are several other fundraisers going on today,” said Dr. Rachel Navaneelan, local dentist and founder of Rachel’s Kids. “It speaks loudly about what’s happening in this community. They are always out giving us a hand, especially when it comes to children.”
The sold out event, which broke its own attendance record, included live and silent auctions, an extensive buffet menu from a variety of restaurants around the city and live music, by Roxanne Delage and Rod Robillard.
Proceeds from the silent and live auction, in conjunction with cash donations, contributed to a monster sum of $141,000 raised.
TC Media is a proud sponsor of the event.
Among the programs, the event helps support, is a fostering program for children overseas, where funds go towards education, explained board member, Gillian Oxley-Harper. “The level of poverty is so bad that the only way that these kids have a leg up is to get an education, to get out of there.”
Locally, programs include Small Moments of Joy, granting wishes to children with terminal diseases, and Helping Hands, which helps parents with travel, lodging, food and other costs incurred when a child is ill and requires care out of town.
Recently, a local family in need became the beneficiary of Rachel’s Kids’ good work when it was discovered that their daughter’s wheelchair was broken, explained Oxley-Harper.
It all began when Melissa Carriere won $1000, through a radio contest, and when it was discovered that she was going to put her windfall toward the repair, Fresh FM host, Sue Stuart, contacted Rachel’s Kids, with the story.
The wheelchair was subsequently repaired, but then it was also discovered that young Isabella, who lives with multiple debilitating conditions, could benefit from a therapeutic pool to manage her chronic pain, the charity purchase one for her.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Navaneelan about their efforts.
Organizers would like to thank all of the sponsors, especially Scott and Jennifer Lecky, of the Ramada Inn, where the event was held, for their generosity in helping make it the day tremendous success that it was.
“They have been spectacular; they’ve gone above and beyond,” said Oxley-Harper.
For further information about Rachel’s Kids, visit www.rachelskids.com.
