Mayor lauds philanthropic efforts during pandemic
Charities invited to apply to use Lanspeary Park hall free of charge
The city is inviting charities whose bingos, golf tournaments and other crucial fundraisers were sidelined by the pandemic to apply to use Lanspeary Park for free.
“It can be used for a food hall, a craft market, a beer garden, cultural displays or any other fundraising event where the proceeds will go towards supporting local charities that have been helping out so many in the past year,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The invitation was made Thursday during an online panel discussion highlighting the philanthropic spirit that came to the rescue since the arrival of COVID-19 one year ago. Charities have until March 19 to apply to use Lanspeary, with the usual fees charged by the city waived.
Last year, Windsoreats organized weekend food halls under the roof of the park's Lions ice rink so local food establishments stymied by pandemic rules had a place to serve customers. During budget deliberations last week, council decided that, in addition to allowing Windsoreats to continue with its food hall on some weekends, it would open other time up to charities. The mayor said he's heard from dozens of local charities that are struggling because of lost fundraising opportunities.
While last year was termed the year of flexibility, in which city hall rules were relaxed and fees were waived to allow battered businesses to survive, this will be the year of recovery, Dilkens said.
“We'd love to review all those applications and put together weekend programming from the spring until probably the end of October that will allow people to raise some funds to keep organizations going until we can get everyone a shot in the arm and move forward together.”
Dilkens used Thursday's Zoom meeting to shine a spotlight on the many local organizations and businesses that stepped up last year as the community was reeling with layoffs, food needs, personal protective equipment shortages, more acute homelessness, mental health challenges and other crises caused by the pandemic.
The outpouring of support showed what Dilkens said he has long said about Windsor: “I'm telling you, it's truly the most caring and giving place in the world.”
The mayor spoke of local companies, like the Windsor Spitfires ownership group, TD Canada Trust, Tim Hortons and Green Shield Canada, that provided thousands of dollars in donations to various projects.
“There's no doubt that rapid, compassionate, well-developed responses from each of you have an impact that can never be quantified,” said Dilkens.
Some of the projects include: the Families to Families grocery gift card initiative; delivery of food and snacks to front-line workers; funding for local mask-making initiatives; homelessness and mental health support; and grants for local charities.
Community comes first, said Brian Schwab of the Spitfires organization, which provided more than $125,000 last year and participated in a number of community events.
“We depend on the community to support the team, and we think it's our responsibility and our privilege, frankly, to give back to the community in any way we can.”
When the pandemic hit, people at the Windsoressex Community Foundation went home and “panicked a bit,” said executive director Lisa Kolody. But then they took gauge of the situation.
“What we saw was an increased need in the community and fewer resources,” she said, describing the myriad of emergency programs the foundation set up to provide dozens of local charities with a total of $1.63 million, with the help from the Government of Canada.
“What's happening with charities is they can't hold their bingos, they can't hold their usual events,” said Kolody, who congratulated the city for offering up Lanspeary Park.
“We have to find ways to help charities continue to fundraise to do the important work that they are always doing.”