CHATHAM, ONTARIO – Sons of Kent Brewing Company was incredibly excited when approached by the Festival of Giving team to collaborate on a beer with one of the greatest baseball players of all time and hometown hero, Fergie Jenkins. “Being able to make a beer with Fergie Jenkins has been an incredible experience, but having the ability to use that beer to raise funds for the Children’s Treatment Centre is the real home run for us.” said Colin Chrysler, co-founder of Sons of Kent.
“As a true supporter of our community, Fergie was on-board from the beginning and really wanted to ensure the proceeds from the beer were going to the Treatment Centre,” said Tim Copeland, co-founder. “He really enjoyed the beer and came to the brewery to do sampling and sign some beer cans for the fans.”
Since the beers release on Sept 13th, over 44,000 cans have been sold across Ontario, and more than 6000 pints have been enjoyed. With a portion of each sale going to the cause, the total amount raised to date is $17,392.50. With the Apollo Group of Companies announcing that they would be matching a portion of the proceeds raised, the current total that Fergie’s Classic Pilsner has raised for the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation is $32,392.50.
“The Apollo Group of Companies support many projects in Chatham-Kent.” said Fred Naclerio, President of Apollo. “Michelle and I believe in the great work that the Children’s Treatment Centre does, so being a part of a local endeavour with Sons of Kent to raise money for the Centre is something we want to support. The fact that we are partnering with Fergie Jenkins to sell a great beer to raise those funds, is icing on the cake.”
The beer is still be available for a few more months at the brewery and select establishments around Chatham including Cascades Casino with proceeds still adding up for the official final total which will be announced at the Festival of Giving event on April 18th
During the cheque presentation event, Festival of Giving Co-Chairs Chris McLeod and Tim Regan also announced the theme for the 2020 Festival of Giving.
“This has been a tough secret to keep. We are thrilled to announce that I want my MTV, a Totally RAD Festival of Giving is this year’s theme for the Festival of Giving 2020″, said Tim Regan. “The 80’s was one of the most colourful decades in history and we can’t wait to celebrate everything about it”
The 19th annual fundraiser will take place Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham. Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, January 20th. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gigitmarketplace.com.
The money raised will be used to help build a new facility for the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent. The Children’s Treatment Centre provides services to 1 in 5 children and youth in Chatham-Kent. The CTC-CK’s Butterfly Building Campaign will support building a larger, state-of-the-art facility that will better accommodate the growing caseload.