The late Kendyl Smith-Trimm. Photo supplied by Cheryl Smith.
A fundraising event in Chapeau, Quebec helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for sick kids in eastern Ontario.
According to organizer Cheryl Smith, the Caring for Kids CHEO fundraiser held on Saturday at the Upper Pontiac Sports Complex was a major success.
The event has been held annually for the last three years to honour the memory of Smith’s late daughter Kendyl, who passed away several years ago from osteosarcoma at the age of 8.
Smith says over 300 people attended the event, which also featured live music, raffles and silent auctions and other attractions.
The $35,000 raised at the event is going towards the Kendyll Smith-Trimm Caring for Kids Endowment Fund, which so far has raised over $240,000 to support CHEO since being established in 2024.
Smith is thanking everyone that helped make the night a success, including all the donors, volunteers, attendees and everyone else who played a role in the event.
Several more fundraisers for the endowment fund are coming up before the end of September: REMAX will be offering hot air balloon rides on September 25th and 26th at an event in the Pembroke Waterfront, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the fund.
Additionally, on September 29th – what would have been Kendyl’s 12th birthday – the Pembroke and Petawawa franchises of Dominos Pizza will be donating $5 for every large, one-topping pizza sold.
La station Mansfield will also donate three cents per litre for all gas sold every Thursday until the end of September, and on Friday, October 2nd, a dance is also being held at the Arnprior Parish Hall in support of the fund.
(Steve Berard)
