| durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, November 3, 2022 | 8 Do I Need To Purchase A Casket? No, with Aquamation a casket is not required. This is one of the reasons why we are able to offer Aquamation for a lower price than cremation. Call us or visit our website for more information. www.aquamations.ca No Funeral, No Casket $1,993 Total Price Includes: Professional Services, Documentation, Shelter, Transfer of Remains, Coroner, Death Registration, Aquamation Fee, HST. 3 Locations to Serve You Morris Funeral Chapel - Bowmanville Newcastle Funeral Home - Newcastle Online - www.aquamations.ca 905-987-3964 (24 hours) Trevor Charbonneau Owner/Funeral Director Family Owned And Operated Since 1953Family Owned And Operated Since 1953 733 KINGSTON RD. E. AJAX MON-WED/SAT: 9AM-6pM, THURS/FRI: 9AM-7pM SUN AND HOlIDAyS: 10AM-5pM WHIlE QUANTITIES lAST @macmillanorchards1953 THEY'RE BACK!!! CRISPY BUTTERMILK CHICKEN TENDERS $1699 FOR 2KG COMPARE AT $28- $35 Charities are reaping the rewards of the 2022 Ajax Mayor's Gala after it raised $250,000 this year. Since its launch in 2019, the gala has raised more than $700,000 for local charities and organizations. Last June, the gala marked its first in-person return since 2019, as nearly 300 guests and dignitaries set sail on an evening of global cuisine and entertainment at the spring time event, as the Audley Recreation Centre was transformed for the Ajax Mayor's Gala 2022 World Cruise. "We established the Mayor's Gala because we recognized a need in the community," said Mayor Shaun Collier. "We can't go back to the taxpayer to support charitable organizations and events. We have to rely on the generosity of our business community. Without them, we couldn't do all the great work that we do." The 2022 charity of choice, the Salvation Army Hope Church and Community Services, will use the funds to build a commercial kitchen in the new King's Crescent facility, across from town hall. "This kitchen will introduce new opportunities for new programs and increased services," said Jason Sabourin, pastor and executive director of the chosen charity. "Cooking classes for those on a budget, and increased capacity for meal programs served to those on the street or disenfranchised are some of the ways this equipment will ensure people are given all the opportunity to grow and feel valuable and part of a community." Gala funds will also support a counselling room at Durham Hospice's Whitby facility. Once constructed, it will service families from across Durham Region. The gala committee reviews and approves the charitable recipients. The committee looks for projects that will have real and immediate impact in the community and often will announce additional recipients once the final tally is in. The 2022 gala is also funding initiatives with the following charities and organizations: • Durham Region 2023 Parasport Games • Durham's Child Nutrition Project, providing fresh fruit and nutritious snacks at 24 Ajax schools • Durham Youth Services (Joanne's House), providing "Fresh Start" kits for youth transitioning to independence • Durham Children's Aid Foundation, providing funding for a bursary program in Ajax • Hearth Place, providing funding for various new programs, including Managing All Sides of Cancer, Body Image, and Survivor's Guilt • Ajax Royal Canadian Legion, providing funds for a capital a project, including new exterior doors The vast majority of the funds are raised through gala sponsorship. More than 40 local businesses and organizations supported this year's gala. A live auction also gave attendees the opportunity to bid on local experiences and even take home an art piece produced live at the gala. The gala committee has begun planning for the next event set for June 3, 2023. CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM AJAX MAYOR'S GALA Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier greeted guests at the Ajax Mayor's Gala held at the Audley Community Centre. Jason Liebregts/Metroland NEWS GALA RAISES $700,000 SO FAR