Salvation Army pastor Ron Ferris and Sheila Reeves, who nominated The Salvation Army for the donation, discuss the "Random Acts of Chocolate" campaign with Canadian Football legend Pinball Clemons.
Every year through the Random Acts of Chocolate Campaign, Mars Canada Inc. recognizes acts of kindness in local communities by encouraging the nomination of local Community Organizations for a chance to receive a $10,000 donation. Tillsonburg’s Salvation Army is the recipient of one of three grand prizes from the campaign this year and Toronto Argonauts legend, Pinball Clemons was on hand to present the cheque from the Mars Canada Inc. Random Acts of Chocolate campaign.
Sharing his infectious smile with everyone-Pinball Clemons encourages the importance of kindness within the Salvation Army. “This organization has made sure that no one in this community is forgotten and for that we can never thank you (The Salvation Army) enough and ultimately that is the reason we are here”.
Clemons went further to explain that the Random Acts of Chocolate is all about kindness without expecting anything in return. “Kindness can be even greater than food itself. When you give kindness, that provides hope which is life itself”.
Pinball Clemons gives Sheila Reeves a thank you hug following her successful nomination of The Salvation Army in Tillsonburg for a $10,000 donation from Mars Canada.
This year, over 2,500 Canadians, including local Tillsonburg resident Sheila Reeves, demonstrated their kindness by nominating a local charity. Reeves, who has been supporting the Salvation Army for more than 20 years, is more than pleased about the generous donation.
“I am so grateful to Mars for having the contest and that I was one of the winners,” smiled Sheila. She also proudly acknowledges that the other two beneficiaries were from the province where she grew up, Alberta.
Salvation Army Pastor Ron Ferris was initially skeptical about the sudden donation until Pinball Clemons was mentioned. “I know that nobody would throw Pinball’s name around unless this was an honest thing and realized this was finally true”.
Representing the Town of Tillsonburg, Councillor Chris Rosehart shared mutual outlooks regarding the big donation, “The ten thousand dollars you have won, will be used to benefit the people of our community”.
Finally Donna Acres, community ministries coordinator of the Salvation Army recognizes what difference that money will make and expresses her gratitude to the Mars Canada Inc., Sheila Reeves, Pinball Clemons and everyone else in the community for coming out and showing their support for this random act of kindness.
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After presenting the donation on behalf of the Mars random acts of chocolate campaign, Pinball Clemons speaks passionately about the need for kindness in our every day lives.