MARATHON -- Everyone had buckets of sudsy fun at Friday’s car wash fundraiser, where folks got the chance to get their vehicles cleaned, enter a draw for some great prizes and raise money for the Marathon Sick Kids fund.
The event, organized by Ashley Riendeau, was held on Friday afternoon at Phil’s Waste Services on Peninsula Road, with a dozen young local folks getting some hands-on volunteer experience. Everyone had loads of fun, waving down potential customers, scrubbing cars, and at times, getting wetter and muddier than the cars and motorcycles. There was no set fee for the service; the customers simply gave from their hearts.
Daphne Michaud-Hoxell, a long-time resident of Marathon and mother of three, wanted to do something to assist the organization that had helped out her family in the past. She offered to ask around for donations to give away as door prizes, hoping to entice more people to the car wash. She quickly acquired a few, but soon realized that, with a little extra push, she could do even more. In less than 48 hours, Michaud-Hoxell was able to obtain well over a dozen prizes, including a barbecue, a Milwaukee drill set, a Fitbit, a kayak, gift certificates and various other very valuable prizes from local businesses and individuals.
Ten of these prizes were given away on Friday as car wash door prizes, but most were presented as part of the draw Michaud-Hoxell organized on her own. A ticket was given out for every $10 donation made, either in person or by eTransfer. The draw took place on Sunday afternoon at 3:00. After it was all tallied, the car wash and Sunday’s draw totalled over $4,600 for the Marathon Sick Kids fund; an astonishing feat in such a short timeframe.
“They were there for me when I needed them,” Michaud-Hoxell says. “Why wouldn’t I want to help?”
The Marathon Sick Kids fund, a volunteer organization, was established by a group of caring citizens in 1989, and since then has provided over $545,000 in aid. Their mandate is to assist Marathon and district families who may be struggling with the problems that arise with travel costs. Some families find it difficult to pay for a trip upfront or haven’t got the funds to pay the extra costs associated with medical trips.
An application can be made for assistance, citing the estimated cost of the trip, which may include food, gas and accommodations. A committee will examine each case, and a decision is usually made within 24 hours. The applicant may then receive an eTransfer to help pay for the upfront expenses. If the estimate is found to be higher than the actual cost of the trip, or if a Northern Ontario Travel Grant is paid to the family, it is requested that the excess money be donated back to the organization, where it will be used for the next family in need.
More information about the Marathon Sick Kids funds, applications for assistance or how to make a donation can be found on their website at http://marathonsickkids.org/
Thank you to all the businesses and individuals that contributed prizes for this event: Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Crossover Video, Esso, Mobile Gas, SPG, Wok with Chow, Jack’s restaurant, Orica, the Bargain Shop, Circle K, Norwex, Nu Vu, Northshore Adventures, May’s, Isobels Flowers & Gifts, BM Signs and Designs, Independent Grocers, Epicure (Tara Patterson) Marie-Genevieve Vallieres, and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Education CFLC.