Another JuneFest Success
This year’s JuneFest was held on
June 7, 2007 in Mel Lastman Square. The format was the
same as the JuneFest held in 2005. It was an awareness event
for consumers, the community, service providers and friends.
JuneFest 2007 was attended by
approximately 1,200 people. The organizing committee
adopted a new strategy to increase attendance. We contacted
60 businesses in the community and asked them to come in
support of people who are Deaf-Blind and to learn about
specialized services. I am happy to report that the strategy
was a success. Many businesses sent their people during the
lunch hour to buy food and enjoy the entertainment. These
newcomers also learned about Deaf-Blindness which is what
the event is all about.
JuneFest 2007 Highlights:
- Canadian songwriter, vocalist &
musician Alan Gerber
- Fine Grind, an acapella musical troupe
- James Harrison, Conjurer,
Illusionist & Magician
- Music and free giveaways by Mix
99.9 and CHFI
- Charity BBQ & pizza sales
- Silent auction
- Games
- Starbucks beverage sampling
- Orientation and Mobility
demonstrations
- 32 booths that included vendors,
services and consumer associations
- An online auction on *Ebay*
JuneFest was organized by the
Canadian Helen Keller Centre and Rotary Cheshire Homes.
The organizing committee was manned by people from both
organizations and individuals from the Deaf-Blind Community.
The City of Toronto provided a Community Festival and
Special Events Grant in support of JuneFest, for the 3rd
year in a row. The City of Toronto was also responsible for
renovating the square and having it ready for the event. In
addition, many businesses and individuals made donations and
gave prizes. Xerox Canada employees from the Finch and Yonge
location adopted JuneFest for the day and sent out over 20
volunteers who volunteered for over 6 hours each in every
capacity. Xerox and other volunteers made a huge
contribution in this way. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank everyone for making JuneFest a huge
success. Please visit
www.junefest.ca to view our list of sponsors and to see
pictures from June 7, 2007.
Also, we welcome your comments and
recommendations for next year. Please send your comments
to CHKC at
deafblindinfo@onramp.ca.
CHKC
works hard to fundraise and raise awareness. Each year
is full of fundraising activities. Thank you to the dozens
of volunteers and supporters that work at and attend our
events. Here is a list of some of our events this past year.
Tombola/Great
Valentine Gala
Saturday, February 11, 2006.
Each year
the Canadian Foundation for
Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP) supports CHKC
in several ways. CHKC is invited to help organize the Tombola
event at the Great
Valentine Gala and as a result, CHKC is able to raise
much needed funds and awareness.
Thank you, CFPDP, for everything that you do.
CHKC is
looking for prizes with a minimum retail value of $60
for this year's event. Please contact CHKC if you have a prize
and we will arrange for a pickup. Monetary donations are also
appreciated. We need to start collecting prizes now
— the more we collect, the more funds we can raise to
pay for services offered by CHKC.
You are
also invited to attend and can purchase tickets by contacting
CHKC. Please contact
CHKC for details.
Please visit our Tombola Sponsor's page to see
a complete list of past supporters of the Tombola event.
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Achilles St. Patrick's Day 5K Run/Walk
(RAIN OR SNOW OR SLEET OR … SHINE)
Sunday, March 12, 2006.
This event,
organized by Achilles Track Club, allows CHKC and other
organizations like it, to raise funds by donating all the
pledge dollars collected by its runners. It is an excellent
opportunity for everyone to participate in fundraising, raise
public awareness and experience personal success.
We need
runners, walkers and people to give pledges. Please contact
CHKC for details.
Special
thank you to Thomas Gaffney for organizing our teams.
Thomas donates a lot of his own time looking for sponsorship,
walkers and pledges. He also serves as our inspiration ...
he runs marathons in his spare time.
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CHKC Annual Fundraising Awards Dinner & Awards Presentation
Friday, April 28, 2006.
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Starting
in 2005, the Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC)
began recognizing pioneers and leaders in the fields of visual
impairment, Deafness and Deaf-Blindness with The Canadian
Helen Keller Centre Award. The award is given annually at
our fundraising awards dinner held in the Spring. This year,
CHKC will recognize Jim Sanders, President and CEO of the
CNIB. This year's dinner is sponsored by ICICI Bank and is
being held at the Ontario Science Centre on April 28, 2006.
Please
consider attending the 2nd Annual Awards Dinner in support
of Jim Sanders, CHKC and of people who have become Deaf-Blind.
Tickets may be purchased by contacting CHKC at deafblindinfo@onramp.ca.
For more
information about the Annual Fundraising Awards Dinner & Awards
Presentation, please visit
our Annual Dinner & Awards page.
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Annual
Garage Sale at CHKC (RAIN OR SHINE)
May 2006
The annual
garage sale is a great way to raise funds, raise awareness
and meet our neighbours. If you have items to donate or would
like to volunteer, please contact
CHKC for details.
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Annual
CHKC Car Wash
May 2006
Petro Canada Gas Station, 274 Steeles Avenue East
The annual
car wash is a great way to raise funds, raise awareness
and meet our neighbours. It is also a great way to work alongside
other volunteers and develop volunteer camaraderie. If you
would like to volunteer to wash cars or if you want to get
your car really clean, please contact
CHKC for details.
CHKC volunteers and staff assembled for the car wash
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JuneFest
2006 Family & Awareness Festival
Rolling Rampage 10K Wheelchair Road Race
Saturday, June 17, 2006.
2 unique events brought together to celebrate Abilities
in 2006.
Dozens
of things to See and Do.
Please visit the JuneFest website at www.junefest.ca
and the Rolling Rampage website at www.rollingrampage.com for
details.
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Rotary
Club of Toronto-Don Valley Charity Bowl-a-thon
2006.
Please sponsor
a bowler, come out and play (minimum amount of pledges
to be collected by each bowler is $50), or make a donation
to the Silent Auction.
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