Pack up the kids, a picnic blanket, and a hearty appetite for the sixth annual Jour de Plaisir (Day of Fun) hosted by Ritchot Senior Services (RSS). On Saturday, June 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Ritchot residents are invited to join their neighbours for some old-fashioned good times at 457 Main Street, St. Adolphe.
Visitors will enjoy an outdoor barbecue of hot dogs or pulled pork, then dig into some of Grandma’s home baking at the bake sale. When that’s done, try some friendly competition in games like the bean bag toss, ladder ball, giant Jenga, hula hoops, and a horseshoe tournament. You can also drop some tickets into the silent auction draw for fantastic prizes including a hockey stick signed by Blake Wheeler, tickets to Rumors Comedy Club, an automatic garage door opener, and dozens of unique items and gift certificates provided by local businesses.
“We have a special prize I think the kids will love,” says RSS resource coordinator Janice Burnett. “I will just say that it contains a seven-foot inflatable rainbow sprinkler as well as some unicorn toots. But one of my favorites is an Inflatabull… Someone is going to have a summer full of fun!”
What’s an Inflatabull, you may ask? As you might be able to guess from the name, it’s a large inflatable rodeo bull for the beach or pool.
And the raffle wouldn’t be complete without an auction on a few of the amazing handcrafted items created by the Made With Love ladies. One of this year’s 45 beautiful lap quilts and a hand-knit shawl will be up for grabs.
The Made With Love ladies spend their winters tirelessly sewing, knitting, and gifting their treasures to the Alzheimer’s Society and women’s shelters across Winnipeg.
The proceeds from the Jour de Plaisir help provide year-round programming for the seniors of Ritchot. Burnett hopes to raise enough money to also provide group transportation for social events throughout the year such as shopping trips, garden tours, and Christmas festivities.
“RSS is a non-profit organization,” says Burnett. “Fundraising is how we are able to provide the little extras to our seniors when they are attending events and activities. Simple things such as refreshments, coffee, and prizes would not be possible without fundraising. Since I became the coordinator at RSS, I have been able to offer a summer barbecue to the group with… an afternoon of games, creating a wonderful social activity.”
Since these seniors have invested so much of their own lives into their communities, Burnett is hopeful that the community at large will come out and support them. Her goal this year is to raise $1,500.
“We are run completely by a volunteer board,” Burnett says. “[They are] a great bunch of ladies that come together… throughout the year to volunteer their time without a moment’s hesitation. [For this event] every board member has taken on the responsibility of searching out silent auction prizes and on the day of the event we will work together to keep everything running as smoothly as possible so that it is a day enjoyed by all that attend. We hope to see you there.”