Where could you go in Thorold to eat like a champ, sip drinks from an open bar, laugh with friends, get chances to win fantastic prizes, and feel good for supporting a charitable cause?
The Annual Elimination Draw was the place to be on January 25th at Club Capri in Thorold. Niagara Peninsula Foundation For Children hosted the fundraising event in conjunction with Club Capri. Pictured above at the head table, Valerie, Rod Mahood and Jack Foster were happy to support Katy Herron’s Community Crew.
The $80 ticket purchased by 300 patrons included a deluxe dinner, an open bar, and a chance to win great prizes. The feast was in support of a worthy cause as a portion of the proceeds will go to the NPFFC.
The relationship and partnership the Niagara Peninsula Foundation For Children has with Club Capri has been nothing but positive. This year’s Elimination Draw ran in conjunction with Club Capri was the best held yet. The proceeds from this year’s event allowed the Foundation with the support of Club Capri to present a cheque in the amount of $5,000 to Community Crew.
Jack Foster, Niagara Peninsula Foundation For Children
$5,000 Donation to Community Crew
At the sold-out event, a $5,000 donation cheque presentation was made by NPFFC to Community Crew to show the audience how their support is making a positive difference. The fundraiser will help children impacted by food insecurity in the Niagara Region.
Community Crew is a non-profit organization that started in 2015 by supplying free lunches to students in need at Edith Cavell Elementary School in St. Catharines. These days, their volunteers pack and deliver more than 4, 000 healthy box lunches that go to 30 schools across the Niagara Region.
It takes more than 60 volunteers to run the Community Crew lunch program.
The Community Crew organization does great work across the Niagara Region providing school lunches to help feed children with food insecurities.
Jack Foster, NPFFC
NPFFC Volunteers in Action
Volunteerism was also in full force as the NPFFC members ran the Elimination Draw smoothly, while showing strong teamwork and pride in their charitable service. NPFFC Board members Jennifer and Barbara helped to run the draw like clockwork.
Thumbs Up to Club Capri
Club Capri volunteers also demonstrated excellent hospitality by teaming up with their staff in the kitchen and bar. It certainly appeared that the patrons were pleased with Club Capri’s great service, delicious dinner and steady pouring of drinks at the bar.
Of course, people showed up on a snowy night to eat, drink, and have fun with friends, but the big buzz in the packed hall was a chance to win $1,000 cash for first prize or $500 for second prize in the elimination draw. Every 25th ticket drawn received a bonus prize along the way to drawing / eliminating the 300 ticket numbers.
Amazing Raffle Prizes
An amazing display of raffle prizes pumped up the excitement for ticket buyers.
Purchase of a $5 ticket ( 3 for $10) gave buyers a chance to win one of three prizes.
$300 gorgeous gift basket
$200 Esso Gas Card
$200 watch from Steadman Jewellers
Nancy Cameron and Tracy Taylor join NPFFC’s Jack Foster to draw a lucky ticket in the raffle prize drawing.
It was non-stop action as the prizes just rolled out all night long.
Looks Who’s Having Fun!
Just imagine the excitement buzzing around the room as the crowd was juiced up with the hopes to win a prize. As the countdown reached the final five numbers in the elimination draw, those five ticket holders were called to the front table. The finalists were asked by NPFFC’s Jack Foster if they wanted to evenly split the $1,500 in total cash prizes, or go all-in for the big payout.
What would you do?
Three more finalists were eliminated until there were just two numbers on the board. Natalie Chevalier and Chris Figliomeni held lucky tickets in the draw for the $1,000 first prize, and $500 second prize. Excitement was really buzzing at this point.
In a spirit of sharing, the holders of the two final tickets in the draw decided to split the cash prizes evenly, each receiving a $750 payout.
Maybe they just followed the proverb that says “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
In hindsight, it wasn’t the best call for Chris this time. He was holding lucky number 153 which would have pulled in the first prize. Nonetheless, he showed great joy in bringing home a big wad of cash, enjoying a fun time with friends, while supporting a worthy cause.
Since 2017 the Foundation has given back to the Niagara community over $310,000. The mission of the NPFFC is to support charitable organizations that assist disadvantage children and families of children with disabilities in the Niagara Region
Jack Foster, NPFFC