THUNDER BAY – The United Way of Thunder Bay welcomed a new partner to its annual CommUNITY BBQ and is looking to pay it forward to help them hold their own event later this summer.
The Rowan Tree Collective joined the Regional Food Distribution Association, the Dew Drop Inn, and the United Way of Thunder Bay at the RFDA headquarters for the BBQ Wednesday afternoon.
“Every year we reach out to potential new partners to join us,” said Albert Brule, CEO of United Way Thunder Bay.
“It’s a community collaborative event. The Rowen Tree is a relatively new organization here in Thunder Bay. We thought it would be really fun to do our pay it forward barbecue for them.”
During the event, attendees could offer to pay $10 that will go toward hosting a barbecue for the all the families of the Rowan Tree Collective.
The Rowan Tree Collective provides services to families of young adults with autism and other exceptionalities.
“I hope people are being generous and thinking of us as they pay for their lunch today,” said Rowan Tree Collective co-founder Michelle Murdoch-Gibson. “The Rowan Tree is so excited to be working with the RFDA, the Dew Drop Inn, and United Way. We love working in partnership with them.”
Volunteers were serving up hamburgers, hotdogs, and the famous Dewy Dog, while members of the public had a chance to participate in mini-duck races and try their luck at the dunk tank.
Brule said thanks to the nice weather they saw a steady flow of people coming out to support these community organizations.
“Typically, we raise $15,000,” he said. “It’s not our biggest fundraiser but we do it a lot for the partnership, collaboration, supporting other community organizations like the Rowan Tree, and it’s a symbol of community coming together. We believe we can do more when we work together.”
