Juno Award music to Goodwill’s Niagara ears
Goodwill Niagara’s Juno Award is starting the new year in a new home.
The award for best R&B soul recording for Errol Star Francis’s 1989 song Angel, from his album Temple of Love, made its way into a donation bin at the Niagara Falls thrift store in late October.
It was put up for auction at the store and earned a top bid of $875. The wining bidder, a Niagara collector who wished to remain anonymous, picked up the Juno earlier this month.
“I’m not surprised bidding went that high for this very unique item,” said Bob Romeo, director of marketing at Goodwill Niagara.
“The Juno caused a buzz in our community and many people came to the store to take a look at it and put in a bid.”
The award was presented to Vern and Deborah Zoller. Vern Zoller was a principal investor on Francis’s Temple of Love album.
“I was happy to see the kind of excitement and fun this unique item could bring to the community and, of course, generating much-needed funds for the Goodwill,” said Francis, who lives in Hamilton.
“Congratulations to the winner. I know it will become a centrepiece of their collection.”
Romeo said staff never know what they are going to find within donations. In the past, Goodwill has auctioned off a Rolex watch and a number of autographed NHL jerseys.
“We get all kinds of rare items in our stores and silent auctions, but the Juno Award was a first.”
Revenue generated from Goodwill’s silent auctions, as well as sales at its six thrift stores across Niagara, supports work opportunities and skill development for people with barriers to employment or independence, and affordable senior housing.
Meanwhile, staff at the Portage Road store where the award was donated are preparing to l relocate. Goodwill Niagara will move to Niagara Falls Plaza on Morrison Street in late February.
Presented annually by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Juno Awards celebrate the country’s musical achievements in more than 40 categories, representing multiple genres. The 47th annual Juno Awards will be held in Vancouver in March.