What a year it was for The Herald's Food for Thought campaign. Topping the $40,000 mark is certainly a huge accomplishment, and it was all made possible by very generous donations from this community. In all, by Wednesday afternoon, $44,497.40 had been collected, which far surpassed last year's total of $35,377.
It all started with the help of Ron Sakamoto and Fernando Varela, who put on a wonderful concert kick-off event at The Yates. That momentum was continued by support from Scotiabank Northside and Cora's Breakfast and Lunch, as those corporate donations certainly helped the overall numbers. Speaking of corporate donations, our total today does not include A & W's support, as 50 cents of every bacon n' egger sandwich sold in December will go to Food for Thought.
Each week a flood of personal donations came through the door at The Herald. Those $25, $50 and $100 cheques all added up, as did the $500 and $1,000 donations from local groups and local companies, eager to support this very worthy cause.
Reaching such a milestone as $40,000, and beating last year's fundraising total by over $9,000, will go a long way toward helping helping local students. As we've heard over and over the last month, breakfast is exceptionally important to youngsters, and any way we can help ensure they have a solid start to their day will benefit the entire school system.
Being a kid is hard enough today. Each generation has its challenges, and this one is no different. Pressures are placed on youngsters every day, and the last thing they need to worry about is where their next meal will come from. Food for Thought, and many other similar programs and initiatives, give schools one more way to assist in that regard.
We should all be proud of how our city has rallied in support of this cause. There are many, many worthy charitable options in Lethbridge, and the holiday season is typically the time many of us go out of our way to dig deep. It all proves the spirit of giving is alive and well in Lethbridge.
There's enough bad news to go around, as every day the world challenges us with stories of tragedy, corruption and disaster. As part of the media, it's wonderful to be part of a good-news story, and report on the efforts of others through various other Christmas-themed charitable efforts.
So, with the holiday season around the corner, it's nice to focus on something positive, right here at home, and head into Christmas and the New Year on a positive note. That positive of over $44,000 going towards local school breakfast programs, will only grow, as today is the deadline for donations, which typically still trickle in throughout the holiday season.
Once again, thank you Lethbridge for supporting Food for Thought.
2012 campaign supporters:
In Memory of Auntie Freda - $25
Lethbridge Herald Social Club - $170
In Remembrance of Bob Brown - $50
Anonymous - $200
Lesley Enjenski - $50
Brian Carr - $100
George Hall and Margaret MacDonald $100
68th Lethbridge Windstone BP Guild - $100
Ralph and Christine Himsl - $50
Mary Kay Miller - $100
Anonymous - $100
Lorne Charlesworth - 150
Finning Lethbridge Employees - $320
Bank of Montreal West Highlands Branch - $500
Anonymous - $100
Marilynne's Grandchildren - $100
Anonymous - $50
Irv Quan and Family - $50
Garry and Sheila Tonks - $50
David Rohovie - $25
Sumiko and Yoshio Tomoyama - $20
Libby Jonas - $30
Gerald and Marg Truscott - $100
In Memory of Diana Fay - $45
Roy and Delores McMurren - $50
Pam and Terry Vogt - $50
Rita McEwen - $50
Craig and Heather Walsh - $80
Barbara Dinan - $50
Colin Ward - $1,000
Darren and Anthea Boras - $1,000.
Total to date - $44,497.40.