Kirby Whitlock, owner of Christina’s Home Furnishings is no stranger to community service and volunteerism, and this week was no different. On Tuesday, June 21 Whitlock fired up the barbeque once again to hold a Fundraiser hot dog and hamburger BBQ for the Hot Lunch program at Vermilion Elementary School.
“I think it is important to support different organizations and programs within the community. It always feels great to be able to help out and give back to the community,” commented Whitlock.
For the rest of the summer, Whitlock is hoping to hold a BBQ fundraiser every Tuesday in front of Christina Home Furnishings for organizations and programs that would like to receive a little extra help that can be had by holding the BBQs.
“I would like to help as many organizations or programs as I can with these BBQs. If anyone would like us to hold one in support of their program or organization all they have to do is contact me at the store. Once the food cost is looked after all the proceeds are donated to the organization or program. The next BBQ on June 28 weather permitting will be for the VES Hot Lunch program again and we are hoping to do one for Hearts and Hands and the Museum,” explained Whitlock.
VES Hot Lunch program head cook, Karen Hughes was very appreciative to Whitlock for holding the BBQ as the Hot Lunch Program is a very beneficial program for the students and parents of Vermilion Elementary School.
“We would like to thank Kirby for holding this fundraising BBQ for the Hot Lunch program, it takes a lot of effort to prepare something like that and we really appreciate it. As Kirby always says, ‘Go Team’ and the money raised during these BBQs will help put nutritious meals in the tummies of our children giving them the energy needed to have the ‘Go Team’ attitude in everything they do, a full tummy makes every child more productive,” commented Hughes.
The Hot Lunch program is a registered charity that began in October of 1999, and it is the school’s goal to ensure all VES students have access to nutritious food. The program provides lunches on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday that include a main course, vegetables, salad, or a healthy dessert and milk. For those with milk intolerance, 100% fruit juice is supplied. The cost per meal is $4.50 and if a family’s financial circumstances prevent them from participating in the program the school only asks the family to pay what they can afford.