CHATHAM, ON (June 28, 2018) – Because of the thoughtfulness of a local farmer, two local charities in Chatham-Kent will receive the proceeds of a vintage tractor raffle. Tom Robert of Pain Court has refurbished two antique tractors – a 1939 John Deere Model B, valued at $7,500 and a 1954 Massey Ferguson 50, valued at $6,500 – and generously donated both to be given away in a raffle to benefit community healthcare in Chatham-Kent. A total of 400 tickets will be sold at a price of $100 each, and proceeds from the sale of the tickets will be split evenly between the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. The two winning tickets will be drawn at the 2018 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo in Pain Court, Ontario, on September 22, 2018, at 4:00pm on the main stage.
Mr. Robert and his family have been impacted by cancer and he wanted to do something to support those who are dealing with the disease, including those in their last stage of life. The raffle benefits both the CKHA, which treats people with cancer, and the local hospice, which helps comfort people nearing the end of their life, many of them with cancer as well.
“My family has dealt with cancer a lot and I wanted to give back something to the community where my loved ones were cared for,” says Mr. Robert. “One of my passions is repairing and refurbishing farm equipment, so cleaning up a couple of vintage tractors and putting them up as prizes seemed like a great way for me to help those going through the same circumstances my family did.”
Mr. Robert kindly decided to donate two tractors, and a partnership between the Foundations of the CKHA and the Chatham-Kent Hospice was born – the first time the two organizations have ever officially worked together.
“I couldn’t be happier to be part of this historic partnership between our two organizations,” says Mary Lou Crowley, Executive Director, Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. “We are so grateful to Mr. Robert for identifying the Foundation of CKHA as well as the Hospice Foundation as the charities he’d like to have benefit from the raffle, as the funds raised will make a great impact on patient care in the community.”
“We truly appreciate Mr. Robert’s extraordinary generosity in donating these two beautiful, vintage tractors to benefit the residents of Chatham-Kent,” says Jodi Maroney, Executive Director, Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. “We’re also very happy to be working with the Foundation of CKHA on this project, and hope that this is just the first of many more joint initiatives to come.”
Tickets are available at the Chatham-Kent Hospice at 34 Wellington St. East in Chatham, and at the Foundation of CKHA offices at 9 Ursuline Ave. in Chatham and 325 Margaret Ave. in Wallaceburg. They are also being sold at the Pain Court Rodeo on June 29th, and at participating farm dealers in the area, including Can-Am Tractor Ltd. in Chatham and Lambton Kent Farm Implements, located northwest of Chatham.
About the Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance:
Since its inception in 1998, the Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has helped enhance the quality of healthcare available to the citizens of Chatham-Kent by raising funds and providing resources to support the local hospital. Thanks to its generous supporters and donors, more than $43 million has been raised by the Foundation to date. The Foundation recently completed its $6.9 million Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign, which surpassed its goal of raising the needed funds to purchase of seventeen new pieces of diagnostic equipment for both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites of CKHA.
About Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation:
The Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation is responsible for the fundraising activities needed to support Chatham-Kent Hospice and also works to raise awareness about what the Chatham-Kent Hospice provides. The Chatham-Kent Hospice is a 10-bed residential facility that offers care for residents facing end of life and support for their loved ones. Since opening in April 2016, Chatham-Kent Hospice has served over 450 families. In order to offer these services at no cost to residents or their families, Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation mustraise$100,000indonationseachmonthtosupporttheoperatingneedsoftheHospice. Tolearnmore, visit www.chathamkenthospice.com or call 519-354-3113.
Contacts:
Jodi Maroney
Executive Director
Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation jmaroney@chathamkenthospice.com 519-354-3113 ext. 2402
Mary Lou Crowley
Executive Director
Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance mcrowley@ckha.on.ca
519-436-2538