Up, up and away: CBC Thunder Bay Sounds of the Season takes off with official launch

It's up, up and away for the annual CBC Thunder Bay Sounds of the Season fundraising drive, in support of the Regional Food Distribution Association, which officially took off on December 1.

• Donate to CBC Thunder Bay Sounds of the Season

Organizers are aiming sky high with a plan to surpass the 2016 effort, which saw one planeload of food sent to one community Sandy Lake First Nation by striving to fill three planes with food, destined for six different communities, including Neskantaga, Sandy Lake, Sachigo Lake, Weagamow (North Caribou Lake), Marten Falls and Kasabonika.

"It'll happen, no doubt at all," says Ed Schmidtke, the president and CEO of the Thunder Bay International Airport.

The airport is hosting the entire event in the terminal building which "makes so much sense because the food is destined to people that we see coming through Thunder Bay airport all the time," he said.

CBC Thunder Bay Sounds of the Season 2017 Kickoff

7 years ago

Duration 2:46

CBC Thunder Bay Sounds of the Season 2017 Kickoff

Wasaya Airways, North Star Air and Perimeter Aviation are generously supplying the planes.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our communities," said John Beardy of North Star Air. "We have a number of strategic partners in northern Ontario, where we serve ... It was not a problem to say 'yes' to it."

The initiative also fits perfectly into Perimeter's three pillars "of giving back to the communities we serve, which includes keeping youth in school, the suicide issue and healthy living," said Ron Hell, a director of communications with the company.

It's about "delivering good food to people in the north," he said.

It's a sentiment Michael Rodyniuk, the president and CEO of Wasaya Airways is certainly onboard with.

"This is easy, it's not hard," he said, noting cash donations can be made simply by pushing a few buttons on a cellphone.

Getting healthy food, and more of it to northern community "is a need," Rodyniuksaid, and that's why the airlines "put our competitive hats off to one side and work together".

However, that's not to say the companies aren't above a little friendly rivalry.

Donation could equal free flight, NHL game

Bearskin Airlines, which is part of Perimeter Aviation is offering three flights for two people each, anywhere the company flies. People can enter the contest simply by dropping off food or money donations at the airlines' ticket counter at the airport.

Wasaya meanwhile is giving people who donate a chance to win a trip for two to Winnipeg, including hotel accommodation and tickets to a Winnipeg Jets hockey game.

People from across northwestern Ontario are encouraged to drop by the airport throughout the day on December 15 with cash or food donations.

The live broadcast of Superior Morning at the airport on December15 willfeature live musical performances by Jean-Paul De Roover. CBC Thunder Bay staff will also be on scene giving away freeholiday ornaments while supplies last.

DONATE

Onlineto theRegional Food Distribution Association (RFDA)

By phone, call 1-855-CBC-SOTS (1-855-768-7222)

In personfood and monetary donations collected at:

• RFDA - 570 South Syndicate Ave, Thunder Bay, ON.
• CBC Thunder Bay live broadcast on Friday December 15from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Thunder Bay International Airport