The Sharing Place Food Centre was the recipient of a vital annual donation Tuesday afternoon.
Jim Wilson Chevrolet Buick GMC in Orillia stepped up and raised $5,850 for the Sharing Place through their recent fundraiser where they sold $20 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 50” Samsung television.
Chris Peacock, the Sharing Place's executive director, says the donation will have a lasting impact.
“This type of donation allows us to build our capacity, it lets us take steps forward in a positive direction to better serve our members,” he said.
In past years, the Jim Wilson team asked customers to drop off food donations at its West Ridge dealership. With less foot traffic in the dealership due to the pandemic and a bigger need for financial donations at the Sharing Place this year, they decided to switch gears and raise funds instead.
“They are a community partner who has been committed to our organization year after year, and this year with the pandemic, they asked us how can they help in the best way possible,” Peacock explained.
“Financial donations are the best way to provide us with what we need when we need it. This donation allows us to purchase the food and the personal care items that are needed," he said.
"That kind of a donation goes beyond a hamper of food, it lets us keep our organization alive and helps us grow,” Peacock said.
James Wilson, sales manager at Jim Wilson Chevrolet Buick GMC, says it was important for them to step up and find a way to help the Sharing Place during the pandemic.
“In the past, we’ve donated quite a bit of food and made a relatively big impact, so to just pull the plug and not be there this year wasn’t something we could do,” Wilson explained.
“Even though it was different, we wanted to find a way to help.”
Wilson says the fundraiser was a way for the dealership to give back to the community they serve.
“Orillia has always been there for us, and it’s only fair for us to be there for Orillia and the surrounding community,” he said.
