What does Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers and classic cars have in common? These are examples of two community based fundraising groups who have discovered the new normal will be to make lemon-aid out of lemons.
Everyone by now is conscious of COVID-19 and social distancing with its need to keep at least two arms lengths between themselves and those they meet. Being conscious of those you engage with and things you touch will very much become a part of our lives from this point onward. Doing as your mother often told you, to wash your hands when you come in to the house, has now become abundantly clear to us all.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers recently found they had to cancel three major fundraising events which accounted for the lion's share of their annual income. Working as a mostly volunteer organization the charity annually hosted an annual golf tournament featuring television personalities and hockey greats from across Canada, a large ball tournament in the summer and a spring curling bon spiel. The money raised from these events accounts for 80 per cent of their annual operating expenses.
The financial picture for Grey Bruce Crime Stoppers in 2020 is rather challenging. This organization is responsible for the recovery of millions of dollars worth of merchandise, the removal of drugs from the streets and alleviating the personal suffering of victims of violent crimes from the 17 municipalities which make up Bruce and Grey Counties.
Faced with the realities of COVID-19 two members of the Board of Directors wondered about combining their efforts for Crime Stoppers with their love of classic cars. The Grey Bruce counties have a large number of organized and ad hoc classic car clubs who work each year in raising a considerable amount of funds for local charities and community needs. All these clubs came to the conclusion early on that their summer events would have to be cancelled. Keeping control of the large crowds who attend some of these weekly events would be close to impossible.
Morley Lymburner and Brenda Denny of Sauble Beach joined up with Marty Fitzpatrick and Tyler Williams of Chesley. All four are classic car enthusiasts and also find they are avid Facebook creators and maintainers for their respective classic car clubs. Their summer time activities being severely curtailed they began a project that would encourage the classic car hobbyists and keep their enthusiasm high for another year. The creation of a Facebook page entitled "What's In Your Garage" was the result.
Morley Lymburner, the creator of the concept, realized quite a while back that a good number of classic car owners love their cars but worry about how to move them along if the time comes.
"I wondered about just starting a Facebook Page for these people to tell their stories," Lymburner says. "There is nothing a classic car owner loves more than to talk about their vehicles and given this 'pause year' I thought it might be fun to simply give them a chance to do so."
"The concept is quite original in its scope and execution," says Marty Fitzpatrick, co-conspirator in the project. "Most classic car owners own a vehicle that has and does excite their imaginations." Fitzpatrick explained that some have family attachments and memories fulfilled. Some prefer the historical significance while others enjoy the creativity of working on and owning something rather unique. Some owners love to preserve the vehicles to showroom condition while others love to enhance the original design to meet their creativity. "A true art form in moving metal."
No matter the motivation every classic vehicle, and its owner, has a story and "What's In Your Garage" was created to tell and share that story. Much the same as a magazine or newspaper there are two categories of content. Editorial and advertising. On this Facebook page both will appear to be the same. Owners doing what they love. Telling the story of their vehicle.
"There comes a time, however, when every owner must consider moving their beloved gem on to a new owner," says Lymburner. "This is where the subtlety of 'What's In Your Garage' takes over."
Persons making their submission to Marty - (email the info to What's In Your Garage: Morley Lymburner [email protected] ) are asked if they would consider the vehicle for sale. If they indicate it is for sale or they would entertain offers they are asked to make a suggested one-time $20 donation to Crime Stoppers by going to www.CanadaHelps.org/en/dn/25273. In appreciation for the donation the notice of sale on their story will remain for a year or until sold. The person donating, of course, has an extra benefit of receiving a tax deductible receipt and the satisfaction of knowing the money is helping to make the community safer for everyone. A true win/win situation.
It may be a small thing but a good example of how two organizations can come together for mutual benefit during these challenging times.
source: media release, Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce
