Sometimes two heads are better than one, and in this case, to the tune of $41,195.
That’s how much the annual Ischkinakker Shaker and Stewfest Christmas parties managed to raise for Our Kids Count to help renovate their recently acquired MacKenzie Street headquarters.
Johnny de Bakker, co-chairman of the Ischkinakker Shaker, said they couldn’t have done it alone.
“It really was all of us coming together to try to raise one big amount of money for the charity,” he said, adding it’s their philosophy to give a large amount to one organization each year, rather than dividing up little amounts to a bunch of different charities.
The charity they chose was chosen from a list of worthy organizations, he added, with the help of the Paterson Foundation.
“We looked at them and thought Our Kids Count and the community kitchen were something that were starting literally from the ground up,” de Bakker said. “It’s a grassroots project. We liked what they were doing, we liked that they were beneficial to children.
“I love food. Everything about the project fit for us.”
Our Kids Count has been in existence for the past 17 years in Thunder Bay, providing programming to families in need of support with children from the prenatal stage to six years old.
The Kitchen for our Community project provides an environment where families can learn to cook healthy meals to take home and share, teaching what makes a nutritious meal, food preparation skills and increased food-safety knowledge.
The kitchen will also increase access to nutritious and locally grown food and act as an educational resource centre for families.
Gladys Berringer, executive director for Our Kids Count, said the renovations are paramount to making the centre work.
“Without them we wouldn’t be able to start what we’re hoping to do with the community,” she said.
For Stewart Kennedy, whose been hosting his party for the past four decades, it was a bittersweet moment.
Kennedy’s latest party was his last, he said, adding it’s time to move on and let someone else take the reins.
“It’s been a great ride for 40 years. We contributed a lot of money to the community and certainly I think a lot of people had a great time at the parties. But there comes a time when you call it a day and this was a great time to call it an end,” Kennedy said.
“Our Kids Count is a great charity. Joining with the Ischkinakker Shaker at the same time we raised $41,000, which is an amazing amount of money for one charity, so we’re quite pleased the way it all turned out.”
With one party instead of in 2012, de Bakker said he may consider moving the Ischkinakker Shaker to a larger venue next Christmas.
