Annual Sleighing Hunger Charity Concert announces another record breaking total
For immediate release: December 19, 2019
Windsor, ON – The spirit of the holidays was strong and bright today at the Unemployed Help Centre where The S'Aints band, Caesars Windsor Cares and St. Clair College announced the grand total of proceeds raised by the 2019 Sleighing Hunger charity concert. Surpassing last year's record amount, The Windsor Essex Foodbank Association and Chatham Outreach for Hunger received $75,267 to share amongst 16 foodbanks in the region.
For the sixth straight year the fundraising concert has donated ticket sale proceeds, along with donations from Caesars Windsor Cares and St. Clair College to local charities, raising over $340,000 to help feed those in need since 2013. Due to another successful year, more families and individuals will be fed through these local organizations. The all ages Sleighing Hunger holiday show is scheduled for Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m. at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor, and tickets are still available.
June Muir, CEO of the Unemployed Help Centre and President of WEFBA, said, "Once again our partners with The S'Aints, Caesars Windsor Cares and St. Clair College have done a fantastic job supporting the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association. Last year, the association had over 137,000 visits to assist people who were in need of food assistance, which represents over 10,000 households. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our community and from incredible donations like this one. This gift will help ensure our 15 member food banks are able to continue to feed the most vulnerable in our community for this holiday season and beyond."
The WEFBA is a community-based not-for-profit organization comprised of 15 local food banks. Collectively, these food banks have the ability to reach thousands of individuals and families in Windsor and Essex County who need emergency food assistance. Thanks to the association, almost 128,000 have been served locally over the past year. Member food banks of the association include: Downtown Mission, Drouillard Place, Community Food Pantry Lakeshore, three Salvation Army locations, Unemployed Help Centre, The Welcome Centre, Windsor Homes Coalition and more.
Brenda LeClair, Executive Director, Chatham Outreach for Hunger, said "Chatham Outreach for Hunger wishes to thank everyone involved in Sleighing Hunger. We know that an event such as this requires a great deal of planning and I want everyone to know that your efforts are putting dinner on the table of many of our neighbours here in Chatham Kent who struggle daily to provide adequately for themselves. We can continue to meet the growing need because of your tremendous support. Outreach For Hunger wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year."
COH is a not-for-profit charitable organization serving the Chatham-Kent region. Supported entirely through the generosity of the community, in 2017 they served over 3,800 households and 326 families, providing healthy food and nutritious meals for those in crisis.
Jeff Burrows, drummer for The S'Aints, said, "Every year, a group of us friends get together to create an album, and a concert to give back to the community and bring joy to concert goers. What started as a small idea, has turned into the kick-off celebration of the holiday season for many in our community. It is with great pride we get to present this production on an annual basis, working hand-in-hand with giants such as Caesars Windsor, and St. Clair College. We look forward to helping in our own way year after year."
Patti France, President, St. Clair College said "Our St. Clair Saints have been so pleased to partner with The S'Aints band since the inception of the Sleighing Hunger program. To have helped establish an entertainment tradition during the holiday season, while simultaneously providing awareness and support of local food banks, represents the sort of community spirit exemplified by St. Clair College's students and staff."
Mary Riley, Vice-President Marketing, Caesars Windsor said "This year Caesars Windsor celebrates 25 years, where giving back to the community where we live, work and play has been an integral part of our corporate culture. It is our honour to be the host sponsor and donor of the annual Sleighing Hunger concert. It is inspiring to see the positive impacted on the community and enhanced support as the attendance grows."
A big thank you to this year's media sponsors: AM800 Bell Media, Devonshire Mall and The Windsor Star.
Susanne Tomkins, Manager of PR and Communications, Caesars Windsor
John Fairley, Vice President, Communications and Community Relations, St. Clair College
519-972-2762, jfairley@stclaircollege.ca
Johanna Coutinho, Communications Manager, Unemployed Help Centre
519-944-4900 ext. 116, jcoutinho@uhc.ca