Jean Bennett of Bayfield shared statistics and heart-warming (and heart wrenching) stories of her visits to developing countries at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Bonspiel held March 13 at the Clifford Arena.
Jean offered thanks on behalf of the thousands of people she has seen in her travels who benefit from the donations of grain that are shipped to their countries including African nations, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Jean had returned from a three-week trip to India and was visibly affected by her stay.
Lorne Underwood announced that someone in New Orleans has contacted him about their ‘longest picnic table in the world’ project that gained national interest at the plowing match in Teeswater. The more initiatives, the more the interest, the more money raised for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
This bonspiel is gaining interest in Clifford. Four young ladies found curling to be a curious adventure with one friend stepping on the curling ice for the first time. Jess Fletcher, Beth Grant, Hannah Campbell, and Ruthie McComb may not have won the trophy, but they enjoyed winning a couple of ends.
Fourteen teams competed and 17 individuals and businesses supported the event. Teams included Dan Richardson, Bill Raynard, Derek Grice, Maurita Boyle, Arron Dettman, Bruce Kaufman, Bruce Shannon, Jess Fletcher, Out of Towners, Town of Minto, Dwayne Koeslag, Brad Richardson, Clifford Firefighters, and Leonard Underwood. Donations were given by a number of individuals and businesses. The Sharing Our Faith quilting group donated another fine quilt for the draw and Arthena Underwood headed up the homemade soup and fix-it-yourself sandwich luncheon.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a Christian response to hunger, raises money and crops to help people in developing countries. The Canadian government supports their efforts, matching dollars four to one.