The RONA on 115 Bowes St. in Parry Sound will be raising money for The Drop during Lowe’s Canada’s Heroes campaign.
Christine Corbett, co-owner of the RONA, says the campaign will be ongoing throughout the month of September. “It’s a perfect opportunity to help our community,” she says. “That’s what I like about it the most. All the funds we raise stay local.”
The Drop, which is located at 80 James St., was established in 2021 as part of the Near North District School Board’s wellness camps. The school board contracted the Sound Youth Counselling to create the program and they, in turn, partnered with the St. James United Church to found The Drop, which operates out of the Mary St. Centre. According to its website, The Drop supported 154 youth during its first summer in operation.
“I think everyone would agree youth are in need of our attention,” Corbett says. “Our community, I feel, needs to come together to support good mental health support for our youth.”
She explains that anyone can drop by RONA to make a donation before the campaign ends on Sept. 30. Corbett adds that a BBQ fundraiser will be held on Sept. 9 as well the store will be raffling off prizes throughout the month.
“All of our team here will be asking customers to make a donation and I’m really confident that we’re going to have a lot of support,” Corbett says, adding they hope to raise over $2,000.
She points out that Lowe’s Canada will match 50 percent of what’s raised up to $2,000.
“At Lowe’s Canada, we recognize the tremendous work that these organizations do at the local level,” explains Mélanie Lussier, Director, External Communications and Sustainable Development. “We are happy to support them in turn. The Lowe’s Canada Heroes campaign brings people together in our network, showing their desire to make a difference.”