Interval House receives gift from Shoppers' Tree of Life campaign

Posted Jan 19, 2012 By Doreen Barnes

EMC News - "The money is going to help offset the operational cost for our programs," said Kimberley Wright, community liaison and volunteer coordinator for Leeds and Grenville Interval House.

On Tuesday, Dec. 20, a cheque for $5,000 was presented to Wright by local Shoppers Drug Mart owners Carolyn Burpee (downtown Brockville and Prescott locations) and Mark Leslie, (1000 Islands Mall, Brockville location), from the four-week Tree of Life Campaign.

Unfortunately Cindy Nicole Changoor of the Gananoque Shoppers Drug Mart was not available to participate in the presentation.

"It's very exciting. What a huge gift! This makes up for just over half of what we lost from the bingo revenues," said Wright. "We are much closer to filling the gap from our deficit."

About two weeks ago Wright was told that Leeds and Grenville Interval House would be the beneficiary of the funds.

"We are so thrilled to have this community partnership (with Shoppers Drug Mart)," added Wright. "It's awesome."

"The success of the 2011 Tree of Life Campaign can be attributed to the support and commitment of our loyal customers and staff," said Burpee. "Shoppers Drug Mart has partnered with women's health organizations at national, regional and local levels, in order to provide direct support, ensuring that essential funding, resources and education are available to meet the needs of Canadian women. We are pleased to present this year's Tree of Life campaign proceeds to Leeds and Grenville Interval House."

This campaign is a four-week program held all across Canada.

In support of women's health organizations, customers, staff and pharmacist-owners at over 1,800 Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix stores raise funds through the purchase of the Tree of Life paper icons.

Since 2002, this campaign has provided more than $14.7 million for Canada health charities, with 100 per cent of the funds staying in the community where it is raised.

"It's nice to be part of this fundraising effort for Leeds and Grenville Interval House this year," said Leslie, "they are the benefactors of the Tree of Life campaign and glad that we can help them out in whatever way we can. We hope we can do better next year."