Williamsburg without a library, for now

 

The latest $1,000 change collection at the Mustard’s Variety Store in Iroquois has been donated and thanks to the generosity of the store’s customers a child will soon see his wish become reality.

Friday the latest coin collection totalling $1,000 was handed over to Terri Jones, who is in charge of Fund Development for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Ontario.

In thanking Jim Mustard, owner of the popular variety store located in the Iroquois plaza, Jones said this $1,000 would be put towards the fulfillment of an 11 year old boy from the Mountain area whose “wish is to go to Disney world. He is crazy about planes and machines and Mickey Mouse, so this will be his first time in a plane and his first time to see Mickey Mouse.”

Mustard was delighted that the money was going to grant the wish of a local child.

He explained that “what we started doing a few years back was putting jars beside the cash register where people could drop in their change.”

Over the years, Jim has selected a number of different charities that could benefit from a $1,000 donation.

As each $1,000 donation is reached and handed open, a new collection project is launched. The jars are once again back in action and this collection will benefit Mental Health Awareness.

“We have some very, generous customers here,” said Mustard. “I have a lady who comes in once sometimes twice per ($1,000) cycle with her bag full of pennies, nickels and quarters. Some customers drop money in the jar every time they are in.”

Donations made to Make A Wish of Eastern Ontario remain in the area. “All of our money comes from donations,” said Jones explaining that wishes are granted to children facing terminal illness and to those who suffer from debilitating illnesses.

“A wish can cost from $6,000 to $10,000 because it is not just the child but a trip will include the entire family, sometimes a caregiver,” said Jones.

While travel is a popular wish sometimes wishes are to attend a hockey game, or to meet a singing star. “One little boy wished for a playground in his back yard, and we had a wish from a little girl (medical issue with her muscles) for a hot tub.”

“All donations are appreciated. There is nothing too small,” said Jones. 

[…]

 

On June 10th, the Galop-Canal Revitalization Project committee hosted a charity cruise aboard the Sea Fox II.

When all was said and done, the charity cruise raised $2,500 for the Galop-Canal Revitalization Project.

At just $35 per ticket for the two-hour long dining cruise along the St. Lawrence River, the cruise was sold out quickly and organizers had to turn people away.

The cruise included dinner courtesy of Hanne Rycroft and Carl McIntyre of the Basket Case Café as well as live entertainment, including the band Ruckus who volunteered their time and talent for the event.

Staying true to the purpose of the cruise, a live auction featuring 54 donated items created quite a stir. A private behind-the-scenes tour of Parliament Hill with SD&SG MP Guy Lauzon sold for $250. 

Iroquois United Church Reverend Janet Evans and Paul Robertson of the Iroquois Matilda Lions Club volunteered their services as auctioneers for the event.

In addition to ticket sales and auction revenues, the charity raised $290 in 50/50 Draw sales. The winner, a newcomer to the area, won the draw and then donated her winnings back to the charity.

To capture the moment, photographer Lori Cook of Just the Way You Are Photography was on hand to take pictures.

McIntyre pointed out that “when council and the dedicated group of volunteers work together they can make anything happen.”

McIntyre was referring to the recent issues with the Morrisburg Dock and council’s decision to allow Captain Neeteson to proceed with the cruises, docking at the Morrisburg Wharf.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could keep this going for our community,” asked Rycroft. “Think of the economic spin-off that this could generate.”

In addition to raising money to aid in the “restoration and revitalization of the Iroquois Galop Canal and area,” Rycroft was referring to the inevitable benefits that come with encouraging tourism into the area.

So far, the Galop-Canal Revitalization committee has cleaned up the shoreline and cleared the way for locals and tourists to once again enjoy the St. Lawrence River along the Iroquois shoreline.

“We just need the rest of the community to participate and come up with some ideas,” said Rycroft.

[…]

 

The Moonlight Chapter #224 of the Eastern Star in Iroquois has a few things left on its to do list before it amalgamates with Prescott and last Thursday it took care of one of them with a donation to the Breakfast Program at Iroquois Public School.

Represented by Worthy Matron Gay Rust and Associate Matron Ruth Robertson, the Moonlight Chapter #224 dropped off a $400 donation to the school’s breakfast program which is organized by school secretary Phyllis Fisher and EA Christa St. Pierre. 

It is unfortunate, but “the Iroquois Chapter of the Eastern Star is closing, and we are consolidating with the Violet Chapter in Prescott,” explained Associate Matron, Ruth Robertson. 

“We have retired as a chapter and our consolidation will happen in July,” added Worthy Matron Gay Rust explaining that while the Iroquois chapter has a good sized membership, many of the members are elderly and unable to take an active role. 

As a result of their consolidation with Prescott, the Moonlight Chapter has found itself in a position of having some extra money. 

“We had a chance to give money, and I said let’s keep it here in Iroquois,” said Rust of the $400 to the school’s breakfast program. “Ruth thought that was a wonderful idea, so this is another good note that we are ending on.” 

Fisher and St. Pierre were extremely appreciative of the donation. “When I started the program several years ago, I didn’t want to single out any child,” said Fisher. “So every child has the availability of the food.” 

That means the program provides a nutritious starter to 270 kids daily.

“When I come in, I can see that the kids love it,” said Robertson, a retired Iroquois Public School teacher. “They love the veggies and dip. Some days they have fruit. It’s a lot of work, but it’s healthy and the kids like it.”

Iroquois Public School principal Kelty Grant also thanked the Moonlight chapter. Donations are welcome additions to the ministry funded Breakfast Program she said. 

Each year, in cooperation with the Friendly Brothers Iroquois Mason Lodge #143, the Eastern Star Chapter in Iroquois has been involved with ‘special projects’ selected by their Worthy Matron. This past April the Chapter donated $500 each to the Dundas County Hospice, the Winchester Hospital Heelers and the Mason Lodge #143 in memory of Master Mason Gary Richards.

[…]