Neighbours helping neighbours
Dundas Farmers’ Charity Gala chair Jackie Kelly-Pemberton presented donations to representatives of three of Dundas’ non-profit and charity organizations. From left, Deborah Thomson, Naomi’s Family Resouce Centre; Ian McKelvie, Community Food Share; Carolyn Rooney, Carefor NorDun and Kelly-Pemberton. Sawyer Helmer photo
CHESTERVILLE – Jackie Kelly-Pemberton presented three local organizations with donation cheques of $3,550 for a total of $10,650 that was raised by the Dundas Farmers’ Charity Gala held earlier this spring. The event, hosted every two years, raises money for local charity and non-profit organizations in Dundas County.
This year, the recipients of the donations were Community Food Share, Naomi’s Family Resource Centre and Carefor NorDun Seniors’ Support Centre.
Ian McKelvie of the CFS said the donation will go toward food purchases, specifically the Healthy Choices program. McKelvie said the recent wrap up of the Fill-A-Bag Food Drive has provided enough non-perishable items to last until early fall.
Deborah Thomson of Naomi’s Family Resource Centre mentioned the donation is intended to be used toward infrastructure improvements and Carolyn Rooney of Carefor NorDun will also be allocating the donation to improvement projects. Rooney said the building is hoping to install new flooring and a new window in the kitchen facilities.
Kelly-Pemberton said the committee is always pleased to be able to give back to the community on a local level. “They support us, [the agricultural industry] in so many ways and vice versa.” She added that the event was well attended with over 200 guests and is supported by many people and businesses in the community who donate items and money to bring the event together.
Kelly-Pemberton also mentioned during the presentation that this would be her final year as the event chair as she will be handing over the reins to a new committee member in two years time. Kelly-Pemberton will remain as a coordinator of the Dundas Agricultural Hall of Fame.
