The sounds and reverie of Christmas combined with the revving of car and truck engines Saturday afternoon for a good cause.
Thor Motors hosted its annual salute to partnership and charity by welcoming the Orillia Vocal Ensemble and the Hummin’ and Strummin’ Ukulele kids from the Orillia Music Centre to the downtown dealership for an afternoon of songs, goodies and fellowship with all proceeds going to the Sharing Place Food Bank.
There was even a visit from the Jolly Old Elf himself with Santa Claus dropping by from the North Pole to celebrate the Yuletide season with the nearly 200 revelers.
Thor dealer-principal Bob Brown said the dealership’s large atrium not only provides great acoustics, but also affords everyone the chance to hear a first-rate choir while raising money for an important cause. It also allows his operation to give back to the community in a very direct way during the holiday season.
“When we built the store, Roy (Menagh) and I believed very strongly in the partnership between business and community,” Brown said, referring to the Orillia Vocal Ensemble founder.
Last year, this event raised more than $6,000 for The Sharing Place at a time when many family’s resources are dangerously stretched to the max with the food bank distributing more than 450 holiday hampers to those in need.
Sharing Place executive director Chris Peacock said they’re hopeful that goal will be met again this year once the final tally is added up.
“This is a great opportunity to bring the community together as one,” he said. “It’s a moment to start thinking about people who need our help and those who really need help.”
The Sharing Place provides emergency access to healthy food and food skills programming to over 1,500 food-insecure people per month.
Peacock said financial donations are especially important since it not only helps to provide funds directly used to fill holiday hampers for local families and individuals in need, but also allows the organization to help fund its programs, buy fresh produce and food on a just-in-time basis at wholesale prices.
“Financial donations are much preferred over food donations so we can fund the programs and direct the funds where most needed,” he added.
But besides providing an opportunity for the Ensemble to celebrate the season’s songbook, Brown said it also affords a unique stage for the kids in the ukulele troupe to show off their skills.
“This gives a lot of these folks the opportunity to hear a Christmas concert,” he added.
Orillia Vocal Ensemble manager Carol Benedetti said the choir always enjoys performing, especially during the holiday season.
“It’s in our official mandate to raise money for charity,” Benedetti said, noting the group that features nearly 60 members will be performing next Saturday evening at St. Paul’s Centre to raise money for the Lighthouse’s Building Hope campaign.
“It’s just one more opportunity to help the community.”
