Cheer Board campaign celebrates success, rolls on
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/01/2020 (2259 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Do you believe in miracles?
After another banner year for the Miracle on Mountain fundraising campaign in support of the Christmas Cheer Board, it might be hard not to.
Winnipeg Free Press readers donated more than $60,000 to help local families enjoy a happy holiday, filled with turkey, stuffing, gravy, toys and good cheer. That’s something to celebrate, says Kai Madsen, the Cheer Board’s long-time executive director.
“It’s a very important part of our process,” said Madsen, who’s celebrating his 50th season with the board, which is currently in its 100th year in operation.
The process is still ongoing: the Cheer Board is nearing its breakeven point of $850,000 — all of which goes toward paying for more than 16,500 holiday hampers and keeping the lights on in the warehouse — and generous citizens have until the end of February to help reach the goal.
From the way things have gone so far, Madsen doesn’t think it will take a miracle to get there.
“I’m always amazed by what a caring group we have in this city,” he said. “People here make sure friends and neighbours are looked after at a very critical time of the year.”
The Cheer Board began in 1919, as a way to support the widows and families of soldiers killed or injured during the First World War. Soon, it became clear that there was a larger group of citizens in need of support. That need still exists, Madsen said, and to fill it takes a village.
More than 3,000 volunteers pitched in, and more than 1,000 drivers climbed behind the wheel to deliver the goods. And, of course, Free Press readers made a significant impact on the community, too.
For Free Press editor Paul Samyn, that’s what the holidays are all about.
“To have once again raised this much money via the generosity of our readers says a lot about both our subscribers and this city,” Samyn said. “They are kind. They are thoughtful. And they want to ensure the magic of the season can be something everyone can enjoy.
“I can’t thank them enough for making this miracle happen again.”
With those contributions, reaching $850,000 shouldn’t be too tough, Madsen said.
“I think the key is to make sure if you made a donation in the past, remember to make one again,” he added.
Donor information is available on the Cheer Board’s website: www.christmascheerboard.ca.
ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University’s (now Toronto Metropolitan University’s) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben.
Every piece of reporting Ben produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Recent donors
Terry & Sharon Silcox, $25
Marianne Troup. $25
In honour of Bruce Johnson’s 65th Birthday, $75
Diane Gooch, $100
In memory of George Oelkers, $100
Judith Doyle, $100
Sheilagh Bertrand, $25
Ruth Byquist, $100
Bonnie MacDonell, $150
Elizabeth Yallowega, $100
Georgina and Pasquale Carnevale, $25
Doreen Wilkie, $100
In Memory of David Deally; Agnes, John, Alice, Danny Young; Bea McSkimmings; Sheila DePencier; Cil Chandler; Pat Deally; Iris Martin, $200
In memory of Kathleen & Harvey Hudson; Alvin McTavish, $100
Carol Wattinger, $150
Craig Ellis, $50
Lillian McDonald, $20
Geraldine Atamanchuk, $100
Garr & Helene, $50
In memory of Dr. Walter & Mrs. Ruth Miller, $200
Nick & June Shymko, $500
Allan & Anna Fifer, $100
In memory of Mae (Storey) Graham & Verne Graham, $25
Kathryn Kines, $100
Mary Hull, $200
In memory of Cornie & Kathy Ginter; Bob & Helen Hansford, $200
Beverley Robitaille $100
In memory of Murray Guild, Joanne Guild, Elaine Wiebe, David Wiebe, $30
In memory of James Guild, Bernice Guild, Betty Guild, $30
St.Vital Retired Men’s Curling Club, $400
Ada Greeley, $25
Sandra Litwin, $50
In memory of the Arnett Sisters, Doris Millman, Frances Bowles, $30
Big 6 Curling League, $100
Betty Hussey, $30
In memory of my parents, $50
Douglas Dawson, $700
Pauline Fidelak, $100
Harvey Dann, $200
Nancy Latocki, $50
Neil Blundell, $100
Johannes Schluter, $100
Rhonda & Ian Willows, $165
In loving memory of Ramona Becelaere, $50
Robert McKenzie, $325
Deer Lodge Curling Club Ltd, $50
Thomas and Lorraine Prescott, $40
In memory of Jim & Jean Smith, $50
Bruce Lund, $50
In memory of Eleanor M. Myschuk, $100
Gerald & Frances Sloan, $50
In memory of Sandy and Inga Heshka, $25
In memory of Byron and Jessie Angus, $100
Annette Bouchard, $100
Isabel Crowson, $100
Evelyne Hunter, $25
Lucille Curtis, $100
Lynda Wilkie, $30
Louis Riel Mon. Teachers Curling, $200
To-Le-Do Food Service, $444
In memory of Joan Polish, $50
Wilda Smith, $25
Effie O’Brien, $50
Winnipeg Free Press Employee Charity Fund, $5,000
Jensen Nursery & Landscaping Ltd, $1,802
Customers of Jensen Nursery, $108
Marjorie Fortier, $100
Grace Anna Emily Alison, $50
In memory of Eikh & Sumico Oike, $50
Honouring our daughter, Heather, $75
Jeff Rentz, $50
Honouring Bob Lovatt & Doug Rudnicki, $100
Rezso Csupak, $30
Jaymi Derrett, $100
Honouring John Roth, $75
Doreen Mork, $200
Norbert Collette, $50
Kenneth Brook, $40
Glenn Matsumoto, $40
Kathleen Lindsay, $100
Bob & Gail Derby, $50
Alexandra & Don Mathison, $100
David Kraemer, $500
Cherl Irwin, $20
Anonymous, $1,150
Today’s total : $18,379.00
Previous total: $42,879.00
Grand total: $61,253.00
Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University’s (now Toronto Metropolitan University’s) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben.
Every piece of reporting Ben produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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