On a Monday night, in the church of Ste. Anne des Pins, 18 local Knights of Columbus councils waited with bated breath to hear the final amount raised as part of the Unity Project, a fundraiser for the NEO Kids Foundation.
When the number was finally read, a roar went up from the audience.
Not only did the Unity Project raise a grand total of $149,221 for the charity, the last $20,000 was raised that very night, April 25.
Three years ago, the English and French councils of the Knights of Columbus in the Sudbury region joined forces with a goal to raise $100,000 for the NEO Kids Foundation. They hoped to complete their mission within five years, but then, a small bump in the road — a pandemic. Forced to skip 2021, the Knights of Columbus then sold cash draw calendars for both 2022 and 2023.
At a ‘mini gala’ this week, the Knights and their supporters celebrated their achievements. Pierre Beaumier, chairman of the Unity Project Committee spoke to the crowd of 50 at the event, thanking them for their work, and for their caring. Beaumier spoke of the great work that NEO Kids Children’s Treatment Centre does, and noted that having to travel to larger cities for health care can be burdensome, a burden that falls heavier on Northern families.
“Whether you live in Sudbury or in Iroquois Falls, your only stress should be your sick child,” he said. “Their focus should be on their child’s journey towards healing and not on coordinating extensive travel plans.”
Beaumier went on to thank the members and the more than 70 sponsors who helped them with the calendars, and told Anthony Keating, chief fundraiser for NEO Kids foundation (as well as Health Sciences North Foundation, the Volunteer Association and the Northern Cancer Foundation) that it was with great pride they presented their cheque to him.
“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to make a positive difference in our community,” said Beaumier.
Jenny Lamothe is a reporter with Sudbury.com
