Charitable chip stand

STURGEON FALLS, Ont. — The RIV Chip Stand's 9th Annual Pogo Day was socially distanced unlike any other but more than cut the mustard for a worthy cause.

The RIV pledged to donate one dollar for each pogo sold on Saturday and a warm and sunny summer day saw a steady crowd increase the donation total for Epilepsy North Bay.

"We sold 482 pogos and raised $283 in cash donations," shares RIV co-owner Kate Lepage, whose late mother is the inspiration for donating to Epilepsy North Bay as the RIV's charity of choice.

All told, that's $765 in funds raised by the popular Main Street establishment in Sturgeon Falls.

The RIV has been family-owned for nearly 50 years and has been "the home of famous fries since the '70s." Kate and Bruno Lepage have been operating the RIV since 2017 and have continued the tradition of selecting locally-sourced potatoes for the fries and poutines.

Pogo Day served as the RIV's biggest fundraiser this year, Kate says, with Ride for Dad operating virtually instead of out on the highways in groups this year,

"I'm sure it's been hard for many non-profits this year. Usually, you have a big event and this year you can't do that," she says. "Luckily, we're outside so we can still do something."

BayToday even received a nod from Lepage, who said, "Thanks again for the article, I think it was a big help with the North Bay crowd!"