Rotary Club to host Catch the Ace fundraiser online

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie is announcing a brand new fundraiser starting this week for its organization.

Rotary will soon be hosting a weekly Catch The Ace Draw, held online.

The virtual fundraiser will continue until one winner finds the Ace of Spades, a news release issued by the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie stated.

The first eight weeks will have a guaranteed $1,000 pay-out. Ticket sales, drawings, and live jackpot updates can all be found on the fundraiser’s website. 

“As an organization that is very dependent on fundraising events, the pandemic has been difficult for our Rotary Club. Many of the events we would normally hold throughout the year - Rotaryfest, our annual golf tournament, the Battle of the Sections, the Bell Celebrity Skate, the Easter Seals Telethon, Snowarama, and more - had to be modified or cancelled,” said Rotary Club President Megan Wigmore.

“That has resulted in our club not raising the dollars we usually commit to supporting causes across our community.”

One of those causes is the club’s commitment to children with physical disabilities through the help of Easter Seals Ontario and THRIVE Child Development Centre, the release stated.

The McInnis family uses both services for their nine-year-old daughter Kendra, who has Dystonic Cerebral Palsy.

“We just ordered growth adjustment parts for her wheelchair, and we had to pay over $1,200 which is only 25 per cent of the cost,” said Kendra’s parents, Brad and Sherry.

“That cost is not for the whole wheelchair, but just for some new parts due to growth like a new backrest, seat, and poles to make the footrest lengthen, etc. Thankfully the government helps where they can by paying 75 per cent for some equipment, but not every family can make up the remaining amount. Brad's benefits should offset some of that cost as well for us. Kendra just turned nine, so there is no telling when her next growth spurt will be. This is just one example of the costs that come up.”

Before having Kendra, Brad and Sherry did not know anything about the costs of raising a child with physical needs.

“The different pieces of equipment and the ongoing costs accumulate quickly and are sometimes unforeseen and can be overwhelming. We are forever grateful for all of the support we have ever received and will potentially receive in the future by Easter Seals and the other programs that have and will continue to assist with meeting the needs of our daughter Kendra. Being able to provide Kendra with all the necessary equipment she needs enables her to thrive and reach her full potential. We are always appreciative and thankful.”

President Megan Wigmore says she has been impressed with how the club has been adapting throughout the pandemic and is grateful for the support from the community.

“Like many, this pandemic has challenged us to reevaluate things - and one thing remains clear: our Rotarians are committed to making their community, and the world, a better place for all. Your support is the reason for our success - on behalf of every disabled child that gets a new mobility device, or reaches a new milestone in their development thanks to the right therapy, we say thank you,” she said.