The Friends of the Dionne Home Museum believe the tide may be turning when it comes to finding a way to keeping the home in North Bay. To illustrate that, the group is hosting a benefit fundraiser tonight at the Davidi Club and according to Group Chair Jeff Fournier they’ve only had to spend $100 of their own money to put the event on. Fournier says he’s been floored by the amount of support his group has received, and added it shows how important heritage is to the community.
He says the support from local businesses has been great, but also from people who used to live in North Bay like Jack Dominico. Fournier says a handful of bats signed by Hall of Fame baseball players like Reggie Jackson have been donated by Dominico, and will be auctioned off tonight. Fournier says it hasn’t just been the locals either, this crusade has gotten the attention of people from around Ontario, Canada and even America. He’s had people reach out to him from the United States, private individuals who wanted to buy tickets for some under privileged people in the community. Fournier says they’ve done that, and some people that will attend the event tonight have those people to thank.
Tonight’s event includes dinner, live bands, dancing and the auction. The J. Houston Band, MLC, David Dino White, and Brian Risk & the Heart of Gold Tribute Band will be the bands performing tonight. Fournier says tickets are still available for the entertainment portion of the event at 8:00pm, but tickets are selling fast. The price at the door for tickets is $15. All of the proceeds from tonight’s event will go towards the group’s bank account that is dedicated to saving the Dionne Home.
As far as the issue of swaying city council when the time comes for the group to present their recommendation, Fournier is encouraged about that as well. He believes the three councillors on the special committee are decidedly in favour of keeping the home, and the city’s new Chief Administrative Officer Keith Robicheau is supportive as well. The Moose will have a full right up on that part of this story next week.
