Holiday Luncheon at BU part of ‘biggest donor day yet’ — raises $3,175 for Christmas Cheer

Three people stand with an oversized novelty cheque, showing more than $3,000 donated to Christmas Cheer.
Brandon University president David Docherty presents a cheque for more than $3,000 to Joyce Shewan (centre) and Linda Gillis (right) from Christmas Cheer. The final tally was later revised upwards.

Brandon University employees were able to present a big cheque in support of Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer fundraising at this year’s BU Holiday Luncheon.

BU President David Docherty handed over a novelty-sized cheque to representatives from Christmas Cheer — but the number written on the cheque was oversized as well. Employees at the university raised $3,175 this year to support Christmas Cheer. It’s the highest amount raised at the annual event since before the pandemic.

Funds are raised through a 50/50 raffle as well as through gift baskets that are assembled by groups on campus for a silent auction. Several baskets were donated by community organizations this year as well. A list of winners is below.

Since the basket raffle was inaugurated in 2013, Brandon University has raised and donated a total of $32,843 to Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer.

Luncheon day, Friday, was part of what Christmas Cheer called on Facebook their “biggest donor day yet” and they marked 3,000 hamper boxes packed. On Wednesday, Cheer volunteers plan to add finishing touches like poultry, margarine, buns and oranges. They’re currently seeking delivery drivers to help distribute the hampers either Wednesday from1–9 p.m. or Thursday morning.

For more information about Brandon–Westman Christmas Cheer, to donate, or to volunteer, see BrandonWestmanChristmasCheer.ca.

Different areas of the university take it in turn to organize the annual luncheon. This year’s planning committee included staff and faculty in the Faculty of Education, Physical Plant, Healthy Living Centre and Athletics. Next year’s Holiday Luncheon will be hosted by the Faculty of Arts and the Clark Hall administrative offices.

Winners

  • Door Prize – Area Rug – Shawna Philpott
  • Door Prize – Bobcats Hoodie – Marian Ramage
  • 50/50 – $300 – Joyce Shewan

Raffle Baskets

  • Comfy Camping (donated by Cancade Restoration & Home Hardware) – Paige Cuvelier
  • Craft and Create (donated by Christie’s Office Supply & Physical Plant) – Christine Blackbird
  • Freshen It Up (donated by Progressive Sanitation and Dulux Paint) – Andrea Thomson
  • Holiday Entertainment (donated by Innovative Plumbing & Heating) – Barbara Griener
  • Crock Pot Bundle (donated by Offices of the President & the Provost & Vice-President Academic) – Linda Ross
  • Eat, Drink and be Merry (donated by Student Services, Registrar’s Office, and Admissions) – Allison Noto
  • Tastes of the Season (donated by Library, Archives & IT Services) – Derek Booth
  • Self-Care Raffle Basket (donated by Faculty of Health Studies) – Heather Teeple
  • No Excuse for Being Dehydrated (donated by Financial & Registration Services) – Bob Lee
  • Pamper Hamper (donated by Faculty of Education) – Celia Gray
  • Microbiome First Aid Kit (donated by Office of Research & Graduate Studies) – Rhonda Hinther
  • Deck the Halls with Loads of Coffee (donated by Ancillary Services & Residence) – Melissa Ballard
  • Mystery Holiday Magic (donated by Faculty of Arts) – Shaylyn Lamb
  • Oh Canada: Coast to Coast to Coast (donated by Human Resources) – Jen Forbes
  • Basket of Gift Cards (donated by School of Music) – Heather Teeple
  • Bon Voyage! (donated by Advancement & Alumni Affairs and Marketing & Communications) – Katie Whelpton

Contact

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