THUNDER BAY – Dave Thomas has a warning for his friends who plan to roast him in support of Easter Seals – he’s got as much dirt on them as they have on him.
Thomas is the latest victim to offer himself up as the centre of attention at the annual event, which to date has raised more than $600,000 for the organization over its first 15 years.
It’s all for a good cause, he said.
“It’s nerve-wracking for sure, but it’s a good time,” Thomas said. “It’s 15 years strong, this event. It’s a lot of laughs, with good people.”
He said he didn’t really hesitate when asked to be the person being roasted.
“It’s for the kids. It’s good for the community, it’s good for the kids and they always needs lots of fund to keep things going, so it’s good.”
This year’s roast, scheduled for April 18 at the Victoria Inn, follows a long-time Thunder Bay tradition, which over the past decade-and-a-half has seen the likes of Colin Bruce, Tom Jones, John Trevisanutto, Jack Mallon, Michael Power, Bruno Niederer, Vince Mirabelli and Dougall Media’s own Kathy Harris put targets on their back to help Easter Seals offer a variety of services to children and youth with physical abilities.
Rhonda Harrison, senior development officer with Easter Seals Ontario, said the roast was originally scheduled in November, but moved to April.
She’s excited to have the event back.
“This is our second-biggest fundraiser, so this is going to raise a lot of money to help the kids.”
Harrison noted it’s not easy finding someone willing to put themselves out there to be insulted publicly by the people who know them best.
“It’s a lot to ask, so that’s why we’re very grateful that Dave came forward,” she said. “It’s hard to find people that brave.”
Roasters include Mirabelli, Johnny De Bakker, Damien Gilbert, Darren Webb, Kevin Anderson and one-time mayoral candidate Kevin Cernjul.
Tickets to the roast are $125 apiece and are available at the Easter Seals Ontario local office and online at www.easterseals.org.
