OpenAire's month-long fundraiser provides support for low-income individuals, families, and youth
Throughout the year, OpenAire works to open up buildings to the sky with innovative retractable enclosures. Every December, though, this Oakville-based company commits itself to opening up new opportunities to local low-income families and at-risk youth with innovative fundraising events. OpenAire's staff raise thousands of dollars each year in support of Kerr Street Mission (KSM), one of Oakville's leading charities dedicated to helping those in need escape poverty, and this year is no exception. This year, with weekly events and draws taking place all December until Christmas, OpenAire has raised another sizeable contribution to give many of its neighbours a happy holiday season.
The OpenAire team has created five fun-filled events this December. On Thursday, December 3rd, staff competed to see who could bring the best homemade soup, delighting everyone's taste buds. On December 11th, the team used their cooking skills again for a very successful bake sale. December 17th brought more success with a highly popular crock-pot recipe creation event and gift basket raffle, which together raised $300. On Monday the 21st, a lucky bidder won a set of Toronto Raptors tickets that were generously donated by a sponsor. OpenAire wrapped up the season with a huge Christmas Party Raffle on December 23rd, where employees paid to bid on 54 donated prizes from sponsors throughout the area. All of these exciting events, together with weekly 50-50 draws, have raised thousands of dollars for KSM's Christmas Wonders and Beyond program, as well as other community-building initiatives.
“It's an honour to be able to present the funds our company has raised to Kerr Street Mission each year,” says OpenAire President and CEO Mark Albertine, “I'm very proud that our team has worked together so creatively and given generously to support the less fortunate in our community. It really shows OpenAire's dedication to doing things right and building great things, locally and around the world.”
The goal for KSM's Christmas Wonders and Beyond program is to raise $350,000 to provide support to their members (400 families, or 1,000 individuals) this holiday season. Funds will be used to provide families with gift cards and meals; and to support after school programs and family programs. “We are extremely grateful to companies such as OpenAire,” says Agnes Stassen, KSM's “Christmas Lady”, If it wasn’t for their generosity, we could not continue our work. We are so thankful for every donation that comes in from the community, especially because we are not government-funded.”
Deborah Baker, Vice Presisdent and CFO of OpenAire delivered a cheque for the funds raised by the company to KSM on Tuesday, December 22. These funds will work towards providing a bright holiday season to thousands of families in the Oakville area living below the poverty line, as well as supporting the Mission's other community programs. OpenAire encourages all local residents to donate to KSM at 485 Kerr Street, Oakville, ON, or online at www.kerrstreet.net.
