Heart and Stroke Annual Drive Begins

The Heart and Stroke Foundation launched its February fundraising campaign today at Portage Co-Op.

Representatives from the local fundraising committee and Kozy Korner Seniors Inc., as well as Mayor Irvine Ferris were on-hand for the kick-off. The fundraising goal of $37,500 is set for the month. Canvassers will be knocking on doors in Portage throughout February to try to drum up support to hit that target. Kozy Korner gave the campaign a quick boost out of the gate, making a $1,000 contribution.

"Every year they show up and are usually one of our first donations that we receive and are always generous," says Heart and Stroke Portage la Prairie campaign chair Shawn Rawlings. "They give wholeheartedly and we appreciate their support."

Kozy Korner president Judy Nabribianko had a loved one affected by stroke this year, making the cause that much more important to her.

"My son in Calgary had two strokes, and he's just 56-years-old," she says. "It means a lot to me to help get those things fixed up for everybody. It's the first time it's personally hit me. It really means a lot."

Mayor Ferris signed a proclamation Tuesday declaring February as Heart Month in Portage la Prairie. The proclamation was signed to recognize the tremendous effort of thousands of volunteers, staff and researchers of Heart and Stroke to better the lives of all Canadians, a release explains.

"This is important to our community because pretty much all of us have been touched by this in one way or another," Ferris says. "Heart and Stroke does a lot of good work when it comes to research and rehabilitation. It's really important for us to be generous and support this worthwhile cause."

Donations can be made to door-to-door canvassers, through regular mail or online. Find out more here.

If you're able to volunteer, please contact Shawn Rawlings: srawling@mts.net, or call (204) 239-1058 and leave a message.