MATAWA FIRST NATIONS KICK OFF FIRST FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR THE GATHERING OF RIVERS FOR COMMUNITY CARE CHARITY
THUNDER BAY, ON: Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM) today kicked off of their first fundraising event for the Gathering of Rivers for Community Care (GRCC) charity. In total, 16 teams came together at the Davinci Centre in Thunder Bay for a Bocce Ball Tournament which took place from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Participating teams and sponsors included the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation, Royal Bank of Canada, Confederation College, Lakehead University, Oshki Pimache O Win, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Cambrian Vacuum, Seal ‘n Save, June Gordon, MNP LLP, Dominion Motors, Lowerys, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund and Elite Auto Glass.
The GRCC began its operations in 2011. It is a registered charity devoted to providing support to improve the life of Aboriginal peoples of Canada, specifically, the economically and socially disadvantaged children, youth and families in the Matawa First Nations communities of Aroland, Constance Lake, Eabametoong, Ginoogaming, Long Lake #58, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinamik and Webequie. It partners with Canada Helps, a non-profit organization that promotes and increases charitable giving in the country.
“We are excited to kick off our first fundraising event today for our charity, the Gathering of Rivers for Community Care. We thank our sponsors and business partners that helped make this event a success,” said David Paul Achneepineskum, Chief Executive Officer of MFNM. “Relatively new, this charity is important to our communities. We plan on doing more to build and sustain it so that can start to provide more direct benefits to our First Nations,” he added.
In addition to today’s fundraising event, MFNM will be developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that will provide a tactical plan on other fundraising methods that will be used to generate sustainable income. The Bocce Ball Tournament was organized as a peer-to-peer social crowdfunding event and all proceeds went to the Gathering of Rivers for Community Care.