BBQ BUCKS.
Near North District School Board trustee Al Bottomley, centre, accepted a cheque for $3,000 on Sept. 23, which was raised through summer barbecues held by Sundridge RBC branch employees. At the presentation are Brenda Detta, left, of ACCESS 2011, RBC employees Sue Lawrence and Noelle Ferrier, and Branch Manager Naveen Ahuja.
SUNDRIDGE – Sundridge Royal Bank of Canada employees spent their summer turning hot dogs into theatre seats.
Over the course of 11 weeks, the group raised $3,000 through charity barbecues held at the bank branch every Friday. The funds were donated to Almaguin Highlands Secondary School on Sept. 23 to be used to purchase 12 retractable theatre seats for the school’s “cafetorium.”
Central teller Sue Lawrence and her husband donated the use of their barbecue for the summer and the branch fronted the money to purchase the first two weeks of supplies.
“Our customers were amazing supporting it week after week,” said Lawrence. “People were going through the drive-thru and giving us $20 without even buying a hot dog.”
A group of bank employees came up with the fundraising plan and ran with it, getting teachers and students involved in the process.
“It’s supposed to be a community school, so I think it’s a great cause,” said Lawrence.
Branch manager Naveen Ahuja said he is incredibly proud of the effort put forth by RBC employees and handing over a $3,000 cheque to help out local students makes the victory that much sweeter.
“After the first barbecue went so well we were really motivated and that was what gave us the drive to keep going,” said Ahuja, indicating the first attempt brought in $300.
According to Lawrence, Near North District School Board Trustee Al Bottomley was a great supporter, attending every barbecue over the summer.
Bottomley said the school has received donations to cover the cost of more than 150 of the seats needed.
“We’re about halfway there,” he said, during the cheque presentation.
Each seat donated is being permanently affixed with a nameplate indicating the source of the funds use for its purchase.
“People have been very generous. Families and businesses have bought them. Certainly, the service clubs have purchased a lot of them,” said Bottomly.
The school’s state-of-the-art theatre hall can act both as an auditorium and cafeteria. The theatre classroom is located behind the stage, which can be accessed from either side to make the space usable for classes as well as final productions.
“It’s going to be key for the kids. We have an exceptional theatre program at this school and they’ve never had a theatre with proper lighting and sound,” said Bottomley. He said the more than 300 retractable seats can be complimented with additional chairs to provide seating for up to 500 audience members during performances.
“This theatre is so well designed. It’s going to be a real asset to the community,” noted Bottomley. “Some of the local theatre groups could use the facility…. Our students have won so many province-wide awards. They deserve this.”
The grand opening for the school is being held on Oct. 8.
“It’s going to be a big day,” said Bottomley. “We’re going to say goodbye to the old school. We’re selling off lockers, old banners, art work.…”
The auction the same day at the former site begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at noon with monies raised going toward the new school.
Bottomley said the school has retained digital copies of everything included in the sale, but there just isn’t enough space to house the originals at the new site.
“Everything must go,” he said, indicating there will be musical instruments, laboratory supplies, and tools available among the seemingly endless supply of auction items.
“We might not be able to do it all in one day,” he said.
The grand opening ceremony and dedication of the cafetorium in the name of former long-time principal John A. McDermott takes place at the new location at 1:30 p.m. Events include a silent auction and raffle of a 12-ft Solo Swift Canoe worth $2,500.
A dance hosted by ACCESS 2011 is being held at the Powassan Legion beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets for the event, which includes a performance by local band the Swamp Donkeys, are available at the door with all proceeds from the evening going to the school.