World-Leading retractable roofing company raises over $12K for Kerr St. Mission, Oakville Fare Share Food Bank and Movember
OpenAire, a world leader in retractable roofing and skylight solutions, has continued its annual tradition of giving generously to its community with a huge 2016 holiday fundraiser that generated over $12,000 in donations for three local charities in Oakville, making this one of the company’s biggest years for fundraising. These contributions included a Thanksgiving donation of food items to the Oakville Fare Share Food Bank, a November campaign to raise funds for Movember, and more than eight exciting fundraising activities in December to support Kerr Street Mission. The OpenAire staff has been committed to supporting those in need in new and creative ways, and thanks in part to their efforts, many more families in the Oakville area have been able to enjoy a warm, safe and loving holiday season. It is an example of how OpenAire is not only dedicated to building incredible retractable roofs, but also to raising the roof to support their neighbours who need assistance.
In October, the staff of OpenAire ran a food drive to support the Oakville Fare Share Food Bank, an entirely volunteer-run food bank that has operated in Oakville since 1988 and currently serves approximately 1,200 people per month (350-400 families) who are in need of food assistance. OpenAire staff collected a full vehicle load of food donations for the Oakville food bank, as well as donating $500 to support ongoing operations. This contribution helped ensure that the town’s most vulnerable families were able to enjoy a wholesome meal together during Canada’s Thanksgiving celebrations and throughout the rest of the year.
The OpenAire team unleashed their rugged facial hair during November as the company organized an office Movember campaign. Movember is one of the world’s largest non-profit organizations focusing on men’s health issues. The men at OpenAire joined thousands of others worldwide in growing mustaches to raise awareness of male cancers and mental health issues, while men and women both raised funds to support prostate cancer research and treatments. Through this fun-filled month-long campaign, OpenAire was able to raise $1,800 to support men’s health in Canada and throughout the world.
December was OpenAire’s biggest month for charity fundraising, with two activities being hosted each week to raise funds for Oakville’s Kerr Street Mission (KSM). KSM is one of the town’s largest food sharing programs and support networks for residents in need. OpenAire staff organized many creative activities to raise funds in support of individuals and families in poverty over the holidays. These included a soup day, a bake sale, a garage sale, crock-pot creation day, a pie-in-the-face event, food drive collections, and finally a huge silent auction held at OpenAire’s Christmas Party on December 23 at The Crooked Cue in Etobicoke. In all, OpenAire donated $10,000 as well as many children’s games to Kerr Street Mission, providing Christmas gifts and meals to those who otherwise might not have afforded them. It is one of the biggest single contributions that OpenAire has given to KSM.
OpenAire is very proud to contribute its time and gifts to organizations that build up the local community and those in need around the world. OpenAire is blessed to have its headquarters in one of Canada’s most liveable and prosperous communities, but Oakville and the surrounding Halton Region still have a great deal of need that is often overlooked. One in four children in Halton go to school without breakfast, 37% of food bank users in Halton are youth under the age of 18, and two-parent families make up 22% of food bank users. Thankfully, donations from organizations such as OpenAire and many others are helping these local residents find the resources they need to build a better life. While the OpenAire team is dedicated to building innovative retractable structures that open venues to the skies above, they are also committed to opening new possibilities to families in need of a hand up.
To make your contribution to these community projects, please contact:
• Oakville Fare Share Food Bank: http://www.oakvillefoodbank.com/
• Movember: https://ca.movember.com/donate
• Kerr Street Mission: http://www.kerrstreet.net/
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