Company holds 26th U.S. Thanksgiving football classic for Windsor charity
They had a party, watched football and raised money for a good cause.
Advance Business Systems held its 26th annual American Thanksgiving Day football classic on Thursday at the Windsor Yacht Club.
The event, which also doubles as a networking and customer appreciation day, brought in donations from local businesses and national companies in support of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society ’s youth advisory committee.
“These are kids that the Children’s Aid provides services to that really are great examples of success stories,” said Mike Clark, manager of public relations and fund development for the CAS. “What today is doing is showing that people really believe in them and it’s giving them an opportunity to aspire to their goals.”
The office equipment company chooses a different charitable organization each year to receive the donations.
This year’s recipient, the CAS youth advisory committee, is made up of young people who receive services from the organization. In the last eight years, the committee has grown from five to more than 20 people between the ages of 12 and 20. Members advocate for young people in the care of CAS as well as fundraise for other charities.
About 500 people came and went throughout the day Thursday. Clark said he didn’t know yet how much money was raised. More than $100,000 in donations had been raised over previous years.
The money raised Thursday will be used to buy technology such as a smart board, laptop and video camera to help the committee members participate remotely in meetings and other events to lobby on behalf of young people.