Chatham-Kent residents who give back to the community are being honoured for their fundraising efforts.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Canada South Chapter is set to present this year’s National Philanthropy Day awards at a breakfast on Wednesday, November 15 at the Hellenic Cultural Centre in Windsor.
This event pays tribute to the many contributions of time, leadership, and financial support made by individuals and groups who are active in the philanthropic community.
This year's group of recipients will include two local residents, Mike Grail and Melissa Harrigan.
Grail, who is a local Tim Hortons franchise owner, will receive the Outstanding Community Champion Award presented by Windsor-Essex Community Foundation.
Harrigan, who is a municipal councillor, is set to receive the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award presented by Transition to Betterness.
"We have this day to highlight philanthropy throughout our region," said Mike Genge, President of AFP Canada South Chapter. "There are so many volunteers out there who put in hundreds of hours for different organizations to help our community. If we didn't have these people, there are many services that wouldn't exist."
According to Genge, Grail has helped raise over $17.5 million for the Chatham-Kent Children's Treatment Centre Foundation over a 17-year period.
"He's done that as a volunteer," said Genge. "He didn't get paid for it, it's in his DNA."
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2022, Harrigan decided to make her cancer journey a positive one and started the "Her Fight is Our Fight" campaign.
To date, over $30,000 has been raised locally to support the purchase of a new VELA Mammography Chair and fund needed enhancements to the Mammography room at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
Both residents will be honoured on Wednesday, November 15 for their fundraising efforts in Chatham-Kent.
"We celebrate National Philanthropy Day to acknowledge the people in our community who want our community to be better," said Genge. "It's about celebrating the people who do incredible things for our community."
