Set to make its in-person return, a long-standing Chatham fundraiser will celebrate two decades of helping the community at the same time.
The Festival of Giving, sponsored by TekSavvy, will take place June 3 at Sons of Kent Brewing Company, with this year’s theme being “Retro Rewind!”
The event took place virtually for three years during the pandemic, with last year’s festival and online auction still managing to raise $160,800.
However, the Children’s Treatment Center Foundation of Chatham-Kent announced in January it would be rebranding its fundraising events and that the Festival of Giving would change hands.
Pierre Aube, TekSavvy’s chief operating officer, said his organization is pleased to be involved.
“TekSavvy believes in building and supporting healthy communities,” he said in a release. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Festival of Giving and all of the organizations that stand to benefit from this event.”
Further information, including this year’s beneficiary, will be released in the near future. Entertainment and special guests are also still to be announced.
Tickets are expected to be available before the end of March.
Current Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff originally came up with the idea for the festival, which started in a church basement.
Once it outgrew that space, it moved to the former Kinsmen Auditorium, then the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, before coming to Sons of Kent.
Dava Robichaud, TekSavvy’s administrative and event co-ordinator/community partner, called the festival a great event to be a part of.
“It’s always been exciting to take part, but what I really love is that at the end of the day we are helping people in our community,” she said.
Festival co-chair Tim Regan said the team is happy to have TekSavvy back as event sponsor, as well as bring back the in-person party.
“We’re so excited to host the 20th annual Festival of Giving,” he said. “An event that started in a church basement grew to be one of the biggest yearly events in the municipality and is alive and well.”
Any interested sponsors can reach out to Regan, or other co-chair Chris McLeod, by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].
For more information, visit www.festivalofgiving.ca, or on Instagram or Facebook @fog.ck.