Donated Toyota raffle helps Dinner en Blanc raise over $66K for CPAN

By Patricia Leboeuf | September 12, 2019 | Local
Three people stand on each side of vehicle, most with hand on vehicle with thumbs up
The Aug. 9 Dinner en Blanc raised $66,740 for the Renfrew County Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN). As part of the fundraising efforts, a raffle was held for a Toyota C-HR Limited Edition, donated by Pembroke Toyota in honour and memory of Zachary Lapointe. The winner of the raffle was Sheila Kemp from Renfrew, who proudly shows off her car. Around the vehicle are CPAN Executive Director Lyn Smith, Kemp, Pembroke Toyota General Manager Mike Douglas, Pembroke Toyota Owners Jimmy Lapointe and Brenda Lapointe and event co-organizer Doctor Fahamia Koudra. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

One of the area’s most stylish fundraisers, the internationally renowned Dinner en Blanc, raised $66,740 for the Renfrew County Child Poverty Action Network (CPAN).

The Aug. 9 event saw participants wear white and partake in an exquisite fine dining experience at the Pembroke Marina Waterfront, enjoying a curated menu designed by Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute.

Enjoying world-class entertainment such as fireworks, Cirque du Soleil acrobats and epicurean delights were part of the event, but it also served as a fundraiser that far surpassed organizers expectations. They had hoped to raise $50,000, but to their delight, the tally rose much higher.

“This will go to help so many kids,” said CPAN Executive Director Lyn Smith, noting this year the Tools for School program will start in the black due to these funds.

The higher than expected total is, in part, due to a raffle held concurrently for a Toyota C-HR Limited Edition, donated by Jimmy and Brenda Lapointe at Pembroke Toyota in honour of their son Zachary Lapointe.

“People were very generous and kind as per the Ottawa Valley,” said Jimmy, adding that CPAN was really close to his son’s heart.

The car was won by Sheila Kemp from Renfrew.

“It feels amazing, especially in light of where the money goes to,” she said.

The event was such a success that organizers are already planning it for 2020.

“We sold out in two weeks,” said co-organizer Doctor Fahamia Koudra. “It’s nice to see how people were curious about the event. Since most people didn’t quite know what they were expecting. It was nice to see people jump in right away.”