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Staff at The Roster Sports Bar & Grill are ready for the 2nd annual Dish Out the Kindness fundraiser for The Salvation Army and Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon. (Submitted photo)
month-long event

Holiday fundraiser ‘dishes out kindness’ for local charities

Nov 25, 2021 | 2:30 PM

Two well-respected charities in the Vernon area will benefit from holiday sales at a Vernon eatery.

The Roster Sports Club Bar & Grill will hold its second annual Dish Out the Kindness in December, a month-long fundraising drive to support The Salvation Army and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vernon.

With any regular-price entree purchased for dine in or take out throughout December, the Roster will donate $5 toward a $6,000 goal. The Roster will also be donating $5 of all gift certificate purchases of $50 or more. Proceeds will be evenly split between the two charities.

“The pandemic has certainly had its toll on our community and these are just two organizations that need our help more than ever,” said owner Hussein Hollands. “The Salvation Army does so much for our most vulnerable citizens, including operating the food bank and we know the need in our community has never been greater. Equally saddening is mental health has suffered greatly with higher mental health challenges in our community than we’ve seen before.”

Over the past 60 years, CMHA Vernon, a charitable organization, has committed to making mental health possible for all, serving the needs of our community through various services and resources.

“We know that people living with mental health challenges can thrive in our communities if given the right resources: housing, support services, employment, and education opportunities,” said Nicole Zelez, Acting Executive Director and Human Resources & Operations Manager, CMHA Vernon. “We are so incredibly grateful to The Roster for organizing this initiative.”

Serving the community of Vernon and surrounding area for 115 years, The Salvation Army supports families and individuals with food, clothing, Christmas assistance and emotional and spiritual care through its food bank, family services and thrift store.

“We count it a privilege to serve and provide assistance to all those in need. Our organization relies on the generosity of the community to provide the numerous resources and services we do,” said Jen Thompson, Vernon Corps Officer, The Salvation Army. “We are thankful for the support and are thrilled to receive The Roster’s help in this great time of need.”

Last year The Roster’s fundraiser raised $5,000 for The Upper Room Mission and the Starfish Kids’ Pack Program.

“Giving back to the local community has been one of The Roster’s mandates and key areas of focus the past couple of years,” added Hollands. “We plan to carry on this fundraiser and other community-focused initiatives for years to come.”

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