By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
That dynamite combo of the Grafton Men’s Friday Breakfast Team and a supportive community have come together again for perhaps their biggest fundraiser ever, with $7,000 raised at Friday’s breakfast buffet for the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena rebuild.
With “possibly more money coming in,” added Deputy Mayor Joan Stover, who was joined by Mayor John Logel and Councillor Mike Ainsworth in representing council at the event.
Held in Canon Nind Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church in Grafton (right next door to the arena), the event was attended by some 70 members of the community who lined up for the scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, toast and home fries.
On the table at the door (right next to the collection basket) were pamphlets outlining the work that needs to be done, in order to be sure the arena will – as the T-shirts the organizers wore stated – Stay in The Game.
There were also information sheets on donor recognition thresholds. All donors contributing up to $999 can add their names to a commemorative donor puck for a temporary installation on the Community Recognition Wall, while donations of $1,000 and up will be permanently recognized on the Donor Recognition Wall. Special recognition opportunities are being offered for donors of $10,000 or more.
The fundraising goal for the work being done just now is $2.3-million. These essential repairs are needed to keep the doors open. That work consists of a new concrete slab, relocated timekeeper and penalty box, new team benches, new energy-efficient ceiling, new push-button door, new arena boards and glass, new netting and lift gate for ice resurfacer, new accessible west-side door, and repairs and repainting to existing masonry.
For more information on donor options, call 905-349-2822 ext. 36, or e-mail fundraising@ahtwp.ca or ahtwpfundraising@gmail.com
