The sun broke through the clouds at 4 p.m. outside Elliot Lake’s Centennial Arena, as local Rotary Club president, Shawn Heard, along with other Rotarians and supporters, announced a donation of $10,000 in support of the arena fundraising campaign.
The challenge, known as the Jamie and Jo-Ann Armstrong Centennial Arena Repair Fundraising Challenge, was launched April 12, with a generous donation of $300,000 from the Armstrongs.
“The Rotary Club of Elliot Lake and the Centennial Arena have something in common,” Heard told the assembled group, “as it was 1967 that the Rotary Club of Elliot Lake first received its charter and began its history here in Elliot Lake.”
“Since that time, Elliot Lake has supported Rotary, and Rotary has supported Elliot Lake.”
“We are so appreciative that whenever our local club has a fundraiser, a special dinner, or we're just out performing community service, we can always count on the people of Elliot Lake to support Rotary.”
“It allows Rotary to give back to our community.”
“For the past few months, Elliot Lake minor hockey, the Elliot Lake figure skating club, ELNOS, and Rotary have been working on developing an arena fundraising campaign to help the city of Elliot Lake reopen our local arena in a safe and speedy manner.”
“So, I'm very pleased to announce today, that the Rotary Club of Elliot Lake is announcing our support to the local nonprofit spearheading these arena fundraising efforts.”
“There are not one, but two commitments today to the campaign.”
Heard announced, “an immediate donation of $5,000 to the Centennial Arena Fundraising committee.” And Heard extended a friendly “challenge to all the local nonprofit groups and charities to do all they can to assist with this important campaign.”
Applause began as Heard told the group, “In addition to this donation, the Rotary Club of Elliot Lake would like to announce a further donation of a second $5,000 to come from the proceeds of Rotary's 20th annual Red Briffett Memorial Golf Tournament, to be held this September in Stone Ridge.
“So, in summary, Rotary is issuing a challenge to the charities and nonprofits and committing a further $5,000, bringing the Rotary Club of Elliot Lake's total commitment to Centennial arena fundraising campaign to $10,000.”
“Again, we're very pleased to continue the long tradition of the rotary clubs working with local groups to improve our community,” he said, adding, “It's time to get our kids off the highways and back in their home town arena.”