There’s still time to join the party!
Tickets for the Festival of Giving, the fundraising extravaganza put on by the Foundation of the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent (CTCC-K) that takes place June 25 virtually, are still on sale.
This year’s theme is Rock the Block.
“Break-out the grill, blender and gather your family for an exciting evening in your own backyard, with entertainment, fun and a few surprises,” according to the CTCC-K’s Festival page.
Mike Genge, president of the foundation of the CTCC-K, said work continues for the big night, but the big puzzle pieces are in place.
“All our online auctions items are finalized. The online auction will go live the week before, June 17-25,” he said. “At the same time, we’ll have a list of all the live auction items in the swag bags.”
Each ticket holder receives one such bag. It’s filled with gift certificates and coupons at local beverage and food outlets. There are coupons for four beers from each of three local craft breweries, Sons of Kent, Bayside and Red Barn. Each ticket holder also receives gift cards for the Erieau LCBO, Tim Hortons, and Swiss Chalet.
“The bag has got to be worth $125,” Genge said. “The best part is when you go and get the beverages, you’ll get more.”
That’s part of the plan for the virtual event: Support local business that supports the Festival of Giving.
“The same’s true with Schinkels’,” he added.
On top of the goodies, there’s a tax receipt for $100.
All for $175.
To take part in the live auction and be entered for a chance to win a $7,500 travel voucher, you must have a ticket to the event.
There is a one-in-600 chance to win the Vellinga Travel voucher, Genge said, good for $7,500 in vacation fun.
In terms of live auction items, there are trips – to Ireland, St. Maarten in the Caribbean, a time share in Las Vegas and a spot in Lake Como, Italy – up for grabs, among other items and events.
Not interested in travel? How about a whiskey tasting event? Or a guitar signed by the late Tom Petty and all the Heartbreakers?
Genge understands with the event being virtual – you can tune in to watch entertainment and the live auction – not everyone will sign up to party June 25.
“The hope is people will get one bag for their families and sit and watch the show. We’ll have some giveaways during the show too,” he said.
To register for the live auction, visit festivalofgivingck.com, purchase a ticket and follow the instructions. Alternatively visit the Foundation of CTCC-K offices at 300 Lacroix St. in Chatham.
You don’t have to have a Festival ticket to take part in the online auction, but again, visit the website to sign up.
“The online auction I think will go well. We’ve got really good stuff,” Genge said. “We have items donated from local businesses and beyond.”
Genge said 2022 will mark the end of virtual Festival of Giving.
“We’re face to face April 1 next year at the Chatham Armoury,” he said. “There will be limited tickets, perhaps a couple of hundred, but it will be a blast!”
He added there will still be virtual and online components for the event as well.
Foundation personnel will be handing out the swag bags June 9 and 10 at their Lacroix Street offices.
