THUNDER BAY – Cathy Nevala says there’s no way COVID-19 was going to stop the United Commercial Travelers of Thunder Bay, from making its usual contribution to local charities.
The pandemic has only heightened the need for help, she says.
“It’s really important, and that’s why we wanted to do this before Christmas. We know everyone’s hurting, and it’s hard to find ways to raise the money.”
While some of their main fundraising avenues were cut off by COVID-19 restrictions, the Travelers still managed to hand out $10,000 in assistance for four local groups on Saturday.
That included $2,000 each for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Precious Bundles, and $3,000 each for the Dew Drop Inn and local Boys and Girls Club.
With its usual fundraising barbeques ruled out, the group cooked for takeout dinners and other occasions in the Moose Hall kitchen to raise funds, with half of the proceeds going back to the hall itself.
The 92 local Travelers members suggest recipients for fundraising each year, with a rotating handful of recipients selected.
All told, the group raised over $15,000 for charity in 2020, they report.
That work will continue into the new year, with a takeout dinner of barbequed ribs planned for February.
