ELORA – Kirk McElwain said he felt a bit like Santa Claus on Dec. 14 as he and his colleagues handed out a cheque for $9,052 to the Centre Wellington Food Bank, and another for $957 to Centre Wellington Eats, a program at Centre Wellington and District High School.
“It’s the best day of the year,” said McElwain, chair of Sensational Elora, the organization that raised the donated funds.
Sensational Elora is the driving force behind a number of initiatives that have become beloved events in the community, all with the goal of alleviating food insecurity:
- Film on a Plate in May;
- Fabulous Fergus Pub Night in June;
- Pumpkin Day in October;
- Empty Bowls on Thanksgiving Monday;
- Sensational Soup-off in October; and
- Monster March in October.
The organization is seeking new board and committee members as it begins some long-term and succession planning.
“We do a lot of events for a small organization,” McElwain said. “Adding new people will bring new ideas.”
McElwain has been chair for 10 years and said the events are very popular.
The Soup-off is its biggest fundraiser, and Monster Month requires the “care and feeding” of the monsters year-round.
“We always get volunteers and the Rotary Club helps us with the Soup-off,” he said.
“But it would be nice to have a committed committee to share the work. Then it becomes easier for everybody.”
The board meets 10 times a year and the committees meet as needed – generally more frequently as event dates approach.
Its annual general meeting is in January and McElwain said it would be great to have some new blood.
Anyone interested can email info@sensationalelora.com.
More information can be found at www.sensationalelora.com.
