The Abbey-Palooza charity fundraiser moved online this year and organizers are thrilled with the support.
"We have way surpassed our fundraising goal," said Amy Hopkins, event organizer.
"I’m still waiting on one vendor but without her donation, we are at $5679.00."
The annual event, which traditionally involves vendors, baking and raffles, at their Birchaven home in North Bay, has raised more than $40,000 for Juvenile Diabetes research since its inception. It was inspired by 14-year-old Abbey Mason who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes as a toddler.
This year Amy Hopkins, Abbey's mother, decided to move the event online as well as adding another charity due to the COVID-19 crisis.
See related: Abbey-Palooza goes online
They decided to support the Fuel our Frontliners program which has been gathering donations to support local frontline workers. Each week, organizers choose a specific restaurant they will get the meals from in a way to support both the frontline workers and local restaurants.
"We are currently working with fuel our Frontliners and hope to give back to local firefighters, police and the children’s floor at our local hospital," Hopkins explained.
"Both fire and police have supported us in the past and, of course, the staff at the hospital have helped care for Abbey when she was diagnosed as well as a couple of times since."
Thanks to that support Hopkins says they will also be able to give some money to their original charity the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.
"The remainder of the money will go to JDRF which is great that we can give back and give to the charity near and dear to our hearts," said Hopkins.
