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Virden Donor’s Choice Simplifies Giving to Charity

Due to the COVID-19 virus, Donor's Choice was unable to canvas door to door this year. However, donations by mail will be gratefully accepted.
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Due to the COVID-19 virus, Donor's Choice was unable to canvas door to door this year. However, donations by mail will be gratefully accepted. There is a very real possibility that if you lived in Virden or the surrounding area forty or fifty years ago, you may remember someone frequently knocking on your door to ask for donations to charities. This practice was happening far too often for those residents in town.

In 1984 Bill Ritchie met with Ewen McDonald to discuss finding a better way to obtain monies for these charities that would not antagonize the residents. Soon afterwards, in December, a meeting was held at the Fort la Bosse School Office when ten organizations attended. This meeting resulted in the formation of the Virden Donor’s Choice. Ewen McDonald was elected President, Les McNaughton was Vice President and Irene Nelson was Secretary.

The guidelines of the Virden Donor’s Choice were similar to those of Maryfield, Sask. which had the same kind of programme. The guidelines are quite simple. The canvassed area is divided into the same number of areas as the number of charities involved and each charity is designated one of the areas to canvas.

The canvas takes place during the month of April. The main benefit to the residents is that no one from any of these charities should call at their door until the next April.

The original Virden Donor’s Choice started with eight charities represented. Over the years that number has increased to twenty.

The minutes of the Virden Donors Choice since 1984 provide evidence that many people reading this article have served on its executive and there are dozens who have canvassed, and continue to canvas, our community. There simply would not be a Virden Donor’s Choice without these volunteers.

We have been privileged to hold Donors Choice meetings at Bridge Street Enterprises since 1991. Meetings are open to anyone.The present executive of the Virden Donor’s Choice is President Karen McKinnon, Secretary Laura Densmore and Treasurer Frank Van Den Hoek.

I believe readers would agree that, thanks to Mr. Ritchie and Mr. McDonald, there is a better way.

NOTE: Due to COVID -19, Donor's Choice was unable to canvas door to door this year. However, donations by mail will be gratefully accepted.

For further information contact: Len Collier, Frank van den Hoek or Laura Densmore.

Virden Donor’s Choice List 2020

Association for Community Living

Canadian Cancer Society

Canadian National Institute for the Blind

Child and Family Services

Lions Eye Bank

Funshine Daycare Centre Inc.

Pioneer Home Museum

Kelchris Inc.

The Arthritis Society

Virden and District Health Auxiliary

Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Inc.

Seniors Access to Independent Living (SAIL)

Multiple Sclerosis

Diabetes Canada

Border Regional Library (Virden Branch)

Arts Mosaic / Costume Closet

Kidney Foundation

Youth for Christ

Virden Auditorium Restoration Committee Inc.

Westman Women’s Shelter

 

 

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