Bryan in Winnipeg charity benefits from gig
WHAT do musician Bryan Adams and a gaggle of Manitoba MLAs have in common?
Well, they’re all pretty entertaining — but that’s not the link today.
The rock star, the politicians and hundreds of other ordinary people are supporters of Pennies From Heaven. They’re doing their best to raise the money needed to provide food and toys for needy Winnipeggers this Christmas.
The House of Blues, promoters of Adams’ Jan. 11 concert at MTS Centre, are donating $1 from every ticket sold to the charity. We stand to make at least $10,000. Adams makes a point of helping out in the majority of cities he plays.
We’re grateful he chose Pennies and can only hope he understands what a tremendous difference his generosity will make. The politicians? Well, legislative reporter Mia Rabson and her cohorts organize an annual afternoon of giving for the charity. Politicians of all stripes gather to pour in change, pose for a non-partisan picture and enjoy knowing they’re lending a helping hand.
The caring doesn’t stop there. On December 29, Wheelies will be donating the proceeds from their afternoon roller skate.
Schools are continuing to call in and arrive with their donations. Ron Stalk from Maples Collegiate brought in approximately 200 pounds of coins. He estimates the school raised $435.
Tracey Reimer at Prairie Rose says they’ve gathered almost $600 and are still counting.
Deb Thordason at David Livingstone told me the fundraising is going very well. I’m invited to the school’s pancake breakfast this week and they’ll be giving me their donation.
Michelle Bissonnette from College Regional Gabrielle-Roy in Ile-des-Chenes wrote to tell me about an interesting fundraiser. They marked Buy Nothing Day and asked students to donate what they otherwise would have spent. Pennies ends up $200.14 richer.
Lots of other people have dropped off change or mailed in cheques to the Free Press.
Reg and Donna Wyatt took $103 to their nearest BMO, money gathered when they celebrated her brother and sister-in-law’s birthdays.
George and Georgette Perreaux left a cheque. Angus Dundas hauled in five years worth of coins. Pearl Bainbridge from Teulon made the trip. So did John Guy, John Oades and an anonymous elf from the Canadian Revenue Agency. Cheques were sent by: Margaret Johnston on behalf on the Tuesday Afternoon Bridge group; Carolyn and Alphonse Tetrault, who wanted to wish a happy birthday to grandchildren Rowan and Aric; Kathleen Smart; Beverley Schubert; Rosemary Gill; Margaret Johnston; Helen Desjardins, Catherine and Sidney Garvie; and Pamela Johnson.
A special thank you to Maria Daginis, marketing manager for Salisbury House. The Pennies Nip Day raised $2,510.
We’re still well short of our goal. In fact, we’ve raised about a third of what we need. Donations can be made at any BMO branch in Manitoba, in the giant penny next to Santa at Polo Park or at the Free Press, 1355 Mountain.
I’m going to say a prayer and hope for a miracle. I know that the teams at the Cheer Board and Winnipeg Harvest are doing the same.
Filed under: General News
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December 22nd, 2005 at 11:06 pm
we are ready to give evrything for bryan