INNISFAIL – Local businesses are working together to give back to the community.
Johns Manville teamed up with John’s No Frills for the JM Global Community Day and Loblaws Eat Together Day in Innisfail on June 14.
It was the third annual Eat Together Day for Loblaws and the second annual Global Community Day for Johns Manville but the first year for the joint fundraiser for the community.
“All the plants across Johns Manville (in Canada and the United States) pick a day and they go out and help their communities,” said Heather Cooper, office administrator with Johns Manville. “This year we decided to help the toast program at École John Wilson Elementary School to help feed the children.
They decided to join forces with John’s No Frills this year and had a good turnout despite some rain earlier in the day, and received positive feedback.
“People have been coming down and showing their support,” said Cooper.
John Harris, owner of John’s No Frills, was happy to work with Johns Manville to help support community projects and initiatives.
“Any opportunity for us, especially in the summertime when it’s nice out, (to) team up with any local business and work together to try and raise money locally is great,” said Harris, noting the event has raised needed items and money in previous years for community groups and non-profit organizations such as the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
This year the joint event saw about 150 people come out, and raised about $420 for the toast (breakfast) program at John Wilson elementary school, noted Cooper.
One local resident, Ember Sifakis of Red Deer County, was out supporting the fundraising event on Friday.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Sifakis. “My kids went there (to École John Wilson Elementary School) and I think it’s a great program.”
