Amherstburg Fights Cancer dinner raises over $13k
- Ron Giofu
- 26 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Tom Hogarth & Friends perform at Amherstburg Fights Cancer (above) as does Bethany D’Alimonte (far right). Organizer Norm Mickle addresses the crowd (centre).
A fundraiser in the fight against cancer was a success over the weekend and even astounded its organizers.
Amherstburg Fights Cancer was held on Saturday night at the AMA Sportsmen Association with Norm Mickle, his wife Janet and a team of supporters and sponsors presenting it.
All 200 tickets for the pasta dinner fundraiser were sold with a raffle and music provided by Bethany D’Alimonte and Tom Hogarth & Friends. Other donations were still coming in for the fundraiser, Mickle said.
Mickle announced Sunday the dinner raised over $13,000.
“We sold out ahead of time,” said Mickle. “This all came together in four weeks.”
Mickle is a cancer survivor and was asked to be one of three ambassadors for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation’s “Grow On” campaign. He wanted to do something to assist the campaign, and the idea of the Amherstburg Fights Cancer fundraiser came to be.
Proceeds will go to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre (WCCF). Efforts are being made to upgrade three radiation bunkers with that campaign having an overall goal of $500,000.
Mickle said he was thrilled with the support the Amherstburg Fights Cancer event received.
“The sponsors came out of the woodwork,” he said. “It’s amazing, absolutely amazing.”
Mickle was quick to give credit to others, noting he had a lot of help. Local Remax realtors John D’Alimonte and Kim Wheeler, Carol Charette from Carol’s Unisex Hair Design and Norbert Bolger and his team from Nor-Built Construction were among those who provided a lot of assistance.
“The key to success in any endeavour is to surround yourself with the right people,” he said. “They made me look good. We’re hoping to be able to give back in a big way.”
All who helped, including those who bought tickets for the fundraiser, were thanked.
Donations to the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation stay local, Mickle added, and the donation from the dinner will be included as part of the “Grow On” campaign.
Mickle also urged people not to smoke, adding early detection is also a key. When addressing the crowd, he said getting checked early was important.
“My message is very simple – get screened,” he said.
There is often fear that prevents people from going to get checked, but he encouraged people to overcome that and get checked out. He noted Janet is also a cancer survivor.
“My hope is my story is your reason to take the next step,” he said.
Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo, fundraising specialist with the WCCF, noted Mickle decided to do a fundraiser after he agreed to be a “Grow On” campaign ambassador.
“It’s absolutely wonderful,” she said, of the results. “It’s been a great success.”
Riccio-Spanuolo also pointed out the money that is raised stays in the Windsor-Essex County area.
People often support the WCCF because of the impact cancer has on families.
“We’ve all been affected by cancer in some ways,” she said.
Amherstburg Fights Cancer dinner raises over $13k
By Ron Giofu