Larena Parkhouse and John Harden of the Real Canadian Superstore received the President’s award from Chatham Goodfellows President Tim Haskell.
This year’s President’s Award winner is the Real Canadian Superstore (RCSS), a valued community member and vital supplier to Chatham Goodfellow’s for well over 20 years.
Each year Chatham Goodfellows have a monumental task of packing between 1400-1600 10 kg – 20 kg boxes of food beginning at 8 am. Each food box contains a turkey or ham, potatoes, carrots, non-perishable food, milk, candy, fruit, dessert and rolls. At 12 noon the food boxes are packed and ready for delivery.
The planning begins in September each year. Chatham Goodfellows work closely with the dedicated staff of the Real Canadian Superstore to secure
competitive food prices, coordinate orders and delivery of perishable and non-perishable food. On the day before food packing and delivery, the committee begins preparing the Spirit and Life Centre for the event. Real Canadian Superstore staff work closely with the Chatham Goodfellows to coordinate delivery of non-perishable food items to the committee at the Spirit and Life Centre. The following day very early in the morning, just before food packing begins, RCSS staff coordinate the delivery of perishable food to the Spirit and Life Centre.
The on-going coordination is critical to the success of food packing and delivery; there is no room for error since several hundred volunteers are prepared to pack the food boxes at 8 am, and several hundred volunteers and vehicles are prepared to deliver the food beginning at 12 noon.
For over 20 years the RCSS staff has demonstrated undying commitment to Chatham Goodfellows to ensure their goal of “No Child Without a Christmas” is met each year. Real Canadian Superstore staff also provides on-going support to Chatham Goodfellows during toy packing, fund raising as well as Santa’s Day Off. Chatham Goodfellows depend on the dedication of businesses, organizations and citizens to volunteer and help brighten the Christmas morning for those in need, and to ensure that “No Child Without A Christmas”. The Real Canadian Superstore is one of those dedicated businesses that Chatham Goodfellows have depended on for well over 20 years.
Chatham Goodfellows is honoured to present the Staff of Real Canadian Superstore with this year’s President’s Award.