THUNDER BAY – The growing power of social media in Thunder Bay in helping victims of the May Flood can be seen in many ways. First the speed of the “Basement Bunch” in forming to get help going. Second in the speed that residents across the city came up to help. There have been several efforts to help that have started on Facebook.
The creator of the Thunder Bay Dining Club hopes to sell the final block of tickets to Friday’s supper in order to raise $10,000 for the Disaster Relief Fund. Kim Berly and other members of the Facebook page decided to organize the Thunder Bay Dining Club fundraiser because people in the group were impacted by the flood.
”We have many members who suffered in the May flood. We wanted to give back to the community by raising money for flood relief. Anyone who attends can donate a non-perishable food item to the Regional Food Distribution Association to enter to win a gift basket valued at $250,” stated Berly.
“The RFDA is short on food after helping people with the flood, so we’re doing a collection to assist local food banks, too. For each canned good donated, the person will receive one ballot to win the gift basket, so the more canned goods a person brings the better chance they will win,” added Berly.
The Friday night event will include a pig roast, corn on the cob, various salads, coffee and tea, desserts, musical entertainment by Tea Time Drive and Driven, which both bands have graciously donated their time to play that evening and also have the chance to win great prizes such as a big screen TV, a laptop and two tickets to anywhere Wasaya Airways flies.
“We hope to sell our final batch of tickets to raise as much as possible to help our neighbours,” Berly continued. “Friday night will be a chance to enjoy great food, dance to some amazing music and help our community.”
The Thunder Bay Dining Club is a Facebook page that locals use to discuss their Thunder Bay restaurant experiences. It’s also a place where people have come together to help their neighbours and other members of the group by organizing this supper.
“By attending and purchasing a ticket, we hope to raise $10,000 and the province will match it by two to make it $30,000,” enthused Berly.
Tickets are $20 each and are available at Eat Local Pizza on May Street, Gabby’s Spudz at Franklin and Walsh, Paulucci’s Wayland on Gore Street, Chachi’s Drive Inn on Cumberland Street, andat the Moose Hall on Fort William Rd.
“I have also been selling VIP tables for $250, which gets you front row seating, eight tickets and your name on the table showing you as a VIP sponsor,” concluded Berly.
Your ticket includes a free ride to and from Friday’s supper at the Moose Hall on Thunder Bay Transit. Dinner will be served at 7:30 pm.
