It’s Potato Night
Posted Jan 28, 2011 04:00:45 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Tonight marks the 14th annual “Don Cameron Potato Night” at The Aud.
The yearly event helps the House of Friendship collect much needed supplies for its emergency food assistance programs. To support those 18 programs, the House of Friendship will use approximately 170,000 pounds of potatoes this year.
“In these times, and in the times in the past as we go over the 14 years, there’s always been a need for potatoes and a need to help the less fortunate,” notes the event’s namesake, Don Cameron.
A proud Prince Edward Islander, Cameron acknowledges the logical connection between himself and such a “potato night.” The island is, after all, famous for its spuds. But in characteristic fashion, he’s reluctant to accept the credit.
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t do enough work on it,” Cameron quips.
It is a team effort that begins with tonight’s event and continues through the month of February, when House of Friendship volunteers will be stationed at area grocery stores to collect donations and culminating with a community lunch on February 25th.
Speaking of teams, Cameron is quick to point out the event would not be so successful without the support of the Kitchener Rangers.
“To be able to come in on a game night, particularly a Friday night, and be part of collecting potatoes and/or money for the House of Friendship, big plus and big thanks to the Rangers,” Cameron says.
Last year’s Potato Night totals showed 4,500 pounds of potatoes and more than $4,500 in cash donations collected from Rangers fans. As always, the goal is to surpass the year before.
For which Cameron offers this pointed reminder.
“If you should forget, or if you feel that the potatoes are too heavy to bring along (to the game), cash would be acceptable and cash is so much easier to carry,” he says with a sly grin.
Under a partnership with local Zehrs stores announced earlier this week, the grocery store chain is going to match tonight’s donations pound for pound and dollar for dollar.
For more information on the House of Friendship’s February Potato Blitz, click here
