Bid for Kids Sake raises over $40,000
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Area held its 12th Annual Bid for Kids Sake in Tillsonburg, Nov. 25.
The charity auction and the 8th annual Battle of the Hors D’Oeuvres event was attended by over 220 community members, sponsors and volunteers. Their attendance is making a huge impact in the lives of families in the community.
“It was an amazing evening of fellowship, active bidding and community support,” said Deb Landon in a media release, who after reviewing feedback from participants said it seems “everyone, even first time guests, was really impressed with the look, feel and engagement over the night.”
The live and silent auctions were the keystone in the evening’s fundraising efforts. Items sold at the event accounted for more than two-thirds of the funds raised. This would not be possible without such generous donors, said Landon, and it is also a great reflection of the people who came out to the event.
Remaining funds were derived from sponsors.
"This year’s sponsors really stepped up and supported their own community donating funds to the event supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters," said Landon.
The list of sponsors includes: (diamond) UNIFOR Local 88; (platinum) Easy 101/Country 107.3, Heart FM; (gold) Millcreek Printing, Verspeeten Cartage, IMT Ingersoll, Lions Club of Tillsonburg; (silver) Lions Club of Ingersoll, E&E McLaughlin, Rotary Club of Ingersoll, State Farm - Ingersoll - Ann Lofthouse, Bonduelle North America - Ingersoll, T.A Thomas Electrical Contractors; (bronze) Kinette Club of Tillsonburg, Knight of Columbus, Stauffer Motors and Thamesford Lions Club.
Big Brothers Big Sisters also thanked its silent auction donors, and the following live auction donors: Stubbe’s Brandsource Furnishings, West Jet Cares for Kids, Via Rail, Easy 101/ Country 107.3 Radio, Ron Fitzgerald and the Gretzky Family, John and Sandra Gilvesy, Lise and Kurt Morton, Nu Décor, Air Miles Canada, Ingersoll Home Building Centre, Leanne Hennessy, and Shooting Stars Photography.
Also thanked were MC John Biggs, auctioneer Jared Pettman and Battle judges Elliott Coelho, Pernell Richards and Stacey MacPhearson. Entertainment was provided by Ken Archer and Scott Doyle.
Special mention was given to Custom Concept Photography, Awesome Blossoms, The Tillsonburg News, Lion’s Club of Ingersoll, Armour Pro Lighting & Sound, All Celebrations, Alexandra Hospital, Bere’s Catering, and Wedding Favours.
Battle of the Hors D’Oeuvres
This year's Battle of the Hors D'Oeuvres contestants were a mix of returning and new restaurants and caters.
Participants included: JP’s Barbeque & Catering, Indigo Lounge, Boston Pizza Tillsonburg, Quinton’s Catering, It’s All About You Catering, Angel St. Gelais Cakes / Corey’s Restaurant, Local Dairy - Ingersoll, and The Bridges at Tillsonburg.
The winner this year in both the Critic’s Choice and People’s Choice awards was JP’s BBQ & Catering.
"We also wish to acknowledge the hard work each of our participants put into their submissions," said Landon. "All were well received."
Be sure to mark your calendars for Big Brothers Big Sisters' 2017 events - Curl for Kids Sake (February 4 & 11), Bowl for Kids Sake (April 27-29; May 4-6), and next year's Bid for Kids Sake and Battle of the Hors D'Oeuvres (November 24).
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Area provides service to over 250 children annually through mentoring programs such as Big Brother, Big Sister, Couple, In-School Mentoring (adult and co-op), Go Girls!, Big/bunch Group, and Cops for Kids.
It is the goal of the agency to ensure that every child is placed in a program while they wait to be matched.