“The smallest town with the biggest heart.”
That’s the way Ken and Sandy Jellicoe, owners of Ken and Sandy’s No Frills in Mount Forest, sum up local fundraising campaigns for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and contributions totaling $18,250 over the past seven years.
On Dec. 16 the pair was honoured with the “Heart and Soul Award,” presented by Sara Felske, area manager of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO), Wellington, Dufferin Region.
Felske said Mount Forest was one of four communities to receive the award for outstanding effort.
“These dollars stay in the community,” she said at the presentation for the Jellicoes, who were applauded by employees and shoppers.
The couple opened the store in 2003 and started fundraising efforts for Heart and Stroke in 2005. The first year $2 paper hearts were sold over a seven-day period bringing in $1,176. The couple topped up the amount bringing it to $1,500.
In 2006 they switched to a thermometer and $1 donations over a 10-day period, raising $2,528. Along with another contribution from the couple, the final amount raised that year hit $2,800.
A similar campaign was held in 2007 bringing in a total of $1,500. The next year $2,000 was raised for the HSFO. The fundraiser brought in $3,500 in 2009, despite tough economic times. In 2010, $3,250 was raised.
This year marked the largest fundraiser, bringing in $3,700.
“It was Ken and Sandy’s innovative business sense to tie this fundraiser in with their very popular ‘Dollar Days’ sale so that they can say to the customers when they are checking out, ‘You’ve saved so much today, why not make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation?’,” Felske said.
“For seven years now, this family-run store in Mount Forest continues to support our Heart Month fundraising initiatives with outstanding results.”
Felske added, “The owners of this store don’t simply advertise that they are raising funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, they encourage friendly competitions between their cashiers by securing cash and gift prizes to award to the cashiers that raised the most, and they also put strong focus on heart healthy living for their customers, offering HSFO health resources.
“They also create a fundraising wall with out large thermometer prominently displayed at the entrance with a sign encouraging customers to donate when they check out.”
The couple credits the support of shoppers and store employees for the successful fundraisers. They also support other charities, including the local foodbank.
