Discussions

Hi there! I am one of the organizers for this event!! And just wanted to get the word out about it!! I have been busy on FB updating it there...but here's the low down...what is this for?? The residents of Massey Manor who were affected by the May Long fire downtown.  
 
Party in The Park at Optimist Park on Sat June 16 from 1-4pm is Rain or Shine. That being said if there is heavy rain or Thunderstorms - this event will be cancelled. And at this point won't be rescheduled.  
For the public to bounce on the bouncy castle (s) it is $5 per person or a donation of a non perishable food item for the Food bank. The City of Brandon will be coming out with a City Bus and we are going to try and fill the bus for the Food bank.  
We will also have a donation bucket onsite if people just wanted to support our cause and the victims but don't necessarily want to stay for the party or the social. The Q Country truck will be on-site as well during this  
 
The Social that night - doors open at 8pm and we have a free "On Time Draw" for $100 GC to Brandon Shoppers Mall. This draw will take place at 9pm. The social is at the Imperial Ballroom at the Victoria Inn. Plus a FREE father's day door prize draw sponsored by Heritage Coop. We have 60+ prize donations for the silent auction and a fun game planned sponsored by the Pool Doctor. Plus we have some amazing Grand Prize draws as well. The social is 18+ only and ID will need to be shown. The Star Car will be on site before the social to help us promote the event  
 
The Victoria Inn needs a huge shout out for everything they have done and are doing for this event. They have been absolutely amazing!!  
 
Brandon Youth Soccer association and Optimist Park also need a huge shout out. They were going to have their own fundraiser that same day and cancelled it for us to do ours. Theirs will be held in the fall and we will fully support them then!!  
 
The UPS Store printed our social tickets at no cost - which we are so humbled and grateful for as well.  
 
Brandon Shoppers Mall and Nuggetzonline.ca are our top sponsors of donations to the raffle of $500 respectively.  
 
The only cost that we have encountered with this event so far is paying for Paladin Security. And they did so at a discounted rate for us plus are donating a Huge Raffle Prize as well. Everything else has been strictly on donations. Which is truly amazing!!  
 
We did speak with a Provincial official at the Victoria Inn who is working on us not having to pay the Security that the province would. *Fingers crossed on that*  
 
We have met some of the victim's as per their request and some of them have found housing and some are still looking. It was confirmed for us that if they don't find housing by June 1st that that is ok. They will not be out on the streets and the Province and such will still take care of them until they can secure housing. As grateful as they are for being at the Victoria Inn - the novelty had worn off for the parents and children. As to be expected.  
 
We are going to be working as closely as we can with the families to get them items that they need. Some have secured all the furniture they need - yet need help restocking their pantry. Others are ok with pantry items, but need help with extra beds. That kind of thing. But are teaming up with Kathryn Henry from the Ministries to help us get the wishlists from the families  
 
All the proceeds from this event is being divided equally amongst the number of occupied units at Massey Manor. To create a "budget" for the families. So whatever they need, we will tell them what their budget is and get a wishlist from them and go buy those items for them.  
 
Should there be any additional money left over after this, it will also be donated to the food bank. so that the families are not receiving cash from us.  
 
Example - budget is $500 (which is our hope and goal) - yet whatever they need comes to $498.72 (the difference will be donated to the Food bank).  
 
There is an account set up at the Royal Bank and if you are not local, you can go to your local branch and donate, if you so choose. As far as I know this is strictly in Manitoba.  
 
I think that is all the updates - check out #BrandonStrong Fundraiser on FB or feel free to call me directly with any questions at 204-720-9456  
 
**If you have anything negative to say - please keep it to yourself. But to answer the common "questions" ..We are not embezzlers. We are not scam artists. You do not need to threaten me or my family. We are just trying to be nice humans looking out for our community. And no, I will not organize a fundraiser for you because you're broke. Yes all the money IS going to the victims and yes we will be confirming if you are/were one of the evacuees. No I will not give you (or the evacuees) money - everything is done in the form of supplies from confirmed sources.  
And if you want the details on all the events...re-read the post.