Members of the Fergus and District Kinsmen Club say it seems like just yesterday they were standing on the concrete floor of the local arena here surrounded by money, all collected by the group for a good cause.
Back then, the Kinsmen club raised $45,000 worth of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters on the floor of the arena in Fergus, creating its “Coins For Change” logo.
The goal was to raise funds to aid in research and awareness of cystic fibrosis.
“It was a great success 20 years ago and we’re hoping it will do good things again in our community,” said co-chair Christopher Lloyd, during the launch of the 2013 Coins for Change – TNG (The Next Generation) campaign.
“I was seven years old in May of 1993,” says Christopher Lloyd, current Fergus Kinsman and co-chair of the event.
“I remember the excitement as the coins were laid into the design on the day of the event. We want to build on the legacy and inspire our community again.”
Lloyd is leading a new generation of Kin members who intend to roll in the money with a focus on community spirit in the same unique way members like his own father, Bruce Lloyd, a co-chair of the original event and current active Kinsmen, had done in the past.
The new generation includes members of the Fergus and District Kinsmen and the Centre Wellington Kinettes.
“This new generation of Kin hope to honour the legacy with the work we do now. The project was the brainchild of past members and it will benefit everyone in Centre Wellington,” said Lloyd.
Proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit three groups: Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Groves Memorial Community Hospital and the Elma and David Jack Youth Recreation Fund to assist financially challenged youths with fees for Sports and recreation activities in Centre Wellington.
The event will take place from May 4 to 5 at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex.
“Almost 20 years to the day,” said Bruce Lloyd, recalling the inaugural event.
The idea is much the same, but the new generation organizers are looking to ensure the event is family friendly.
“We’re going to try and blanket the floor of the arena in coins,” said Lyndsay Warrington, co-chair of the program representing the Centre Wellington Kinettes.
She added one of the goals is to achieve a Guinness World Record for largest coin mosaic.
“To do that, we have to beat the original square footage of 20 years ago,” she said.
Coins must cover the 13,441 square footage of the arena surface.
“We’re trying to make this a family-friendly event, with lots of activities for the kids,” said Warrington. “We’re having a barbecue too.”
Lloyd hopes people will get involved either by coming to take part in laying out the coins or by dropping off donations of loose change to add to the mosaic. A corporate sponsorship has also been determined to get community businesses involved.
“People can come and get involved by putting the coins out on the floor, “ Lloyd said, adding coins of all Canadian denominations will be accepted at the event.
“With the discontinuance of the penny, this is a great way to get rid of your pennies and support the community,” said Warrington.
The group has set a fundraising goal of $50,000.
“Having the opportunity to participate in the resurrection of such a monumental project is thrilling,” said Warrington.
“There’s no better way to raise awareness and support these causes than with a family-friendly project that will both engage and benefit our Centre Wellington community.”
Coins for Change takes place at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex on May 4 and 5.
For more information or to make a donation contact 519-843-4852 or email coins.tng@gmail.com.
