18A- Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Essex Power Corporation donates to help community needs
TECUMSEH — Essex Power Corporation has made a monetary donation to local food banks in Amherstburg, LaSalle, Leamington and Tecumseh, as well as adopted families through the Children’s Aid Foundation ‘Adopt a Family’ holiday program. The unprecedented year has brought uncertainty for many this holiday season, and as such, Essex Power Corporation and its employees have come together to collect and donate to local programs this year. As part of their giveback initiative, EPC has donated $4,000 to local food banks within the communities they serve. This is the 10th year that EPC has donated to local food banks.
The recipients of the donations include Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission, Tecumseh Goodfellows, Leamington Salvation Army and St. Andrew’s LaSalle Food Bank. In addition, through corporate and employee donations, EPC was able to provide items on wish lists for 8 families in its communities and gift cards for essential items. “This year has been especially tough for families and small businesses in our communities,” said John Avdoulos, CEO, Essex Power Corporation. “With the onset of COVID-19, many have found it difficult to make ends meet.”
REBRANDED BUSINESS
LEAMINGTON — Just prior to the pandemic last winter, The Lesson Lounge Music Store re-branded to become Chuck’s Guitar Shop. Charles Diab wanted to give his business a family feel and as an homage to his late father, Tom (Tom’s Shoe Repair), he wanted to go back to a much simpler name. The shop opened in 2012, and Diab found a new lease on life when he received a life-saving liver transplant in 2017. The year 2020 brought many changes in retail and Chuck’s Guitar Shop remains a constant at 120 Erie Street South in Leamington. During the grey lockdown, Diab is offering curbside service at 519-398-8080 and will still be arranging virtual lessons with his students. Sun photo
Essex Power employees, Janis McVittie and Joel Gagnier, drop off gift donations at the Holiday Program Centre. Photo submitted
Kent & Essex Mutual Insurance Company donates $41,000 to local community programs CHATHAM-KENT — Kent & Essex Mutual (K&E), located on Creek Road in Chatham, has been in the fortunate position to provide another large donation to assist charitable organizations during this difficult time. The company was one of 49
mutual insurers to receive a one-time payment of $41,000 from the Cambridge-based re-insurer, Farm Mutual Re. These funds were earmarked for the re-insurer’s “Mutual Support” initiative which provided their member-mutuals
with the opportunity to continue their philanthropic support initiatives and local relief efforts. Through this initiative, K&E was able to provide a monetary donation to numerous charities and organizations throughout
the Chatham-Kent and Windsor-Essex regions. The directors and staff at K&E selected the recipients. K&E CEO, Kevin Konecny stated, “Thank you to Farm Mutual Re for this opportunity to support our local communi-
ties. We hope the donations will make it easier for these valuable organizations to continue to do their great work. The needs of our members and community always come first and it’s a practice we have believed in for over 132 years.”
Nicholls announces grant funding for RIDE programs CHATHAM-KENT-ESSEX — The Ontario government is investing a total of $137,353 for 2020-2021 and $137,078 for 2021-2022 to OPP Essex, Chatham-Kent, Windsor, and Lasalle Police Services through the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) grant program. This initiative is to help the local police services, covering the areas of Cha-
tham-Kent and Essex County, to keep impaired drivers off streets and highways. “With the holidays around the corner, it is important to have a plan to get home safely,” said MPP Rick Nicholls,Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “Impaired driving is illegal, whether from drugs or alcohol, and it only takes a few
minutes to figure out alternative plans to get home safely that may save your life and the lives of others.” RIDE grant funding will help carry out important year-round road safety initiatives such as education campaigns and roadside spot checks over 2020-21 and 2021-22. As Ontarians prepare to celebrate the
holiday season, they are reminded to make plans to get home safely. They can arrange for a designated driver, order a taxi or ride-share, or take public transit. They should also take immediate action if they see someone who may be impaired by arranging a ride for them or even calling 911 if someone is a risk to themselves and others.
