To the editor,
One morning in early March, I suggested to my wife Jo-Ann that we should raise some money for the people of Ukraine. We made a quick phone call to Jeremy Tracey, who makes the Tracey Crokinole boards in Elmira, and asked if he would help with a big fundraiser of crokinole players at the Walkerton Knights of Columbus Hall. Of course, he replied yes and it was full steam ahead.
Jo-Ann and I quickly found out the card players of midwestern Ontario wanted also to raise money for the heroic Ukraine people – thus a Games Day for April 30 would take place. We had hosted two similar events in 2014 and 2015 with great success, so we just followed the same format.
COVID cases were on the rise and a lot of people were skeptical of the event even getting off the ground, let alone being a success. The message here is always believe in yourself and do not listen to those who are always negative in life.
On Saturday, April 30 we had 74 players participate and successfully raised $3,833.66, which the odd cents appeared when a crokinole player threw $200USD into the donation jar. Others gave such figures as $75, $100 and a card playing couple from Mildmay mailed us a cheque for $500 – God bless them!
There are so many generous people in the world some of which live right here in our midst. We delivered the money to the Canadian Red Cross Office in Barrie last week.
Local merchants and some from afar gave outstanding, valuable door prizes – enough so that each and every player went home with a great prize.
Aaron Armstrong, Andy Dales and Bert donated (almost enough money) to pay for the hall – and the best part was it was the first time we ever had conversation with Aaron (what a fine young gentleman he is, as are the other two).
Just unbelievable giving in Grey, Bruce, Huron and Perth counties. They are the best, by far, when it comes to helping others.
Our card and crokinole players came from far away as well, namely London, Penetang, Strathroy, Kitchener/Waterloo, Elmira and all places in between. We are still getting thank you notes, emails and high praise from people we do not know that attended and we are very happy they enjoyed the day while raising money for the innocent people of Ukraine.
There are just so many people we have to show our gratitude, which include our local newspapers who kept everyone informed. Fantastic coverage indeed, and congratulations to the local papers who won awards recently, well deserved!
Sincerely,
Peter and Jo-Ann Carter
Teeswater
