Last year’s donations doubled
Milk shelves are stocked at Glace Bay Food Bank
A Dominion man says he has found a Glace Bay woman who can soften a heart of stone.
Mickey McNeil of Mickey’s Original Six Hockey Tournament Society, said after a disappointing response to their annual milk drive for the Glace Bay Food Bank led to a plea to the public through a story in the Cape Breton Post, the milk started pouring in.
But what stood out for him was when Tootsie McGillivray, 80, of Glace Bay, showed up at the Dominion rink.
“She doesn’t drive and is on a fixed income and she went and picked up two cases of 24 cans of milk, and got a taxi to the Dominion rink to drop it off,” he said. “To go out of her way to do this to give to me personally, that melted me away. That was the highlight of the milk drive.”
He said the response not only came locally, but he also received monetary donations from people outside the area.
“We raised $1,150 in milk, which will be matched by our three sponsors, which means close to a $4,600 donation in milk for the food bank,” he said. “That’s double what we had last year.”
The public donation is matched by the Mickey’s Original Six Society as well as sponsors, Basil McGillivray of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home and Paul MacPhee of the Co-operators Insurance.
“These gentlemen stepped up to the plate to match all donations,” he said. “It’s because of their help (the public) donation has tripled. These two gentlemen personify what giving is all about and are right there to help in any way, shape or form.”
He said that’s why when someone donates just one can of milk, the subsequent tripling makes the donation that much more substantial.
As well, McNeil said on Wednesday he picked up three cases of milk from the Glace Bay High School girls basketball team, coached by Kathy MacKinnon. However, there was a catch.
“The girls wanted their picture taken with me wearing a Montreal Canadiens jersey!” said the devoted Chicago Blackhawks fan, laughing.
As part of the campaign, McNeil has offered — to anyone donating four cases of milk — to wear the hockey jersey of the donor’s choice for the entire weekend.
McNeil said although the campaign has ended, the challenge remains open.
“Anyone willing to keep it going and pick up two cases of milk, I’m there for it. Anything for milk for the children.”
Patricia Hurley, a co-ordinator with the Glace Bay Food Bank, said they received the donation of milk on Thursday and are grateful.
“We only had about 20 cans of milk on the shelf and now our milk shelf is completely stocked and we even have some put aside.”
Hurley said it will save them money as now they won’t have to buy milk and can spend it on something else desperately needed.
“We are very appreciative. We thank everyone who donated as well as Mickey’s Original Six, Basil McGillivray and Paul MacPhee for matching the donation.”
“It’s going to make a big difference.”