Great turnout at local radio BBQ fundraiser
A barbeque fundraiser for Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio (RKR) 101.7 FM raised more than $4,500 for the station and its new building fund.
Burgers, hotdogs, chili, and lemonade were on the menu at the May 15 fundraiser, which attracted so many Kanehsata’kehró:non that all the food sold out midway through the event.
“It shows great community spirit and community support for our own community radio station and its mission to revitalize the language and culture, and be present and provide information for the community,” said Karahkóhare Sylvain Gaspé, president of Mohawk MultiMedia Inc., which oversees the radio station.
“There’s a lot of community that came out, it was packed at certain points,” said Tehonie’tathe Douglas Beaver, RKR project coordinator and main organizer of the event.
“It was a success,” said Beaver.
Strong community involvement in the fundraising efforts not only helps RKR meet monetary goals but also helps the radio to secure more funding.
“We’re continuing our fundraising efforts to show the funders that we’re able to raise support from the community, and that we won’t only rely on government funding or other foundation funding,” said Gaspé. “It’s important to show community involvement and support and collaboration.”
Staff at Bayside Convenience and Gas had the idea for a barbeque fundraiser, and RKR board member Cathy Beauvais shared it with Gaspé. Most of the food at the event, including the burgers and hotdogs, was donated and cooked by staff from Bayside.
Tawit Gabriel donated chili and made his famous lemonade at the event, while Amber’s Delectables donated cupcakes. Radio hosts Sterling Mallette and Karyn Wahsontiiostha Murray did a series of live broadcasts on location.
Many community members also purchased RKR t-shirts and participated in draws for three prizes, including a barbecue set and gardening set, which was donated by Good Deal Guy, the company owned by the husband of RKR sales representative Michelle Daoust.
RKR is already fundraising again through a draw for a pair of lounge tickets to the Montreal Canadiens’ game three of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Bell Centre this Monday.
And on June 12, the radio station will run a fish fry fundraiser in collaboration with Eric “Dirt” McComber.
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Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
