Hoedown Raises Over A Quarter Million Dollars

Hoedown Raises Over A Quarter Million Dollars
Submitted By Meline Beach
Sep 22, 2004

George Canyon in his trailer - Photo by That's Country

Aurora, ONT

On Saturday, September 18, 2004, Magna Internationalï؟½s annual Hoedown raised $401,000 for 10 local charities and not-for-profit organizations.

As one of York Region's biggest and best-known community fundraisers, Magnaï؟½s "Wild, Wild West" Hoedown 2004 attracted a crowd of approximately 2,500 revelers who danced to the live country and western tunes of Canadaï؟½s own Jimmy Rankin and George Canyon, under a 60,000 square foot tent on the grounds of Magnaï؟½s headquarters.

In its 17 th year, Hoedown 2004 included a texas-style bbq dinner, a live and silent auction featuring everything from furniture and jewellery to green fees, including passes to Mike Weir's golf course Taboo.

Hoedown 2004 also featured a Prospector's Raffle which included over $85,000 in prizes.

More than 27,000 raffle tickets sold. This year's lucky winners were:

Grand Prize - Mercedes-Benz: Rick Thorton of Aurora

2 nd Prize - Vienna Vacation: Jason Chow of Toronto
3 rd Prize - VIP Preakness Weekend: Anna Karasik of Toronto
4 th Prize - Las Vegas Getaway: Luis Mezia Moza of Keswick
5 th Prize - $5,000 Cash: Keith McLeod of Barrie
6 th Prize - $2,500 Cash: Catherine Beattie of Aurora
7 th Prize - $2,500 Cash: Cynthia Galbraith of Aurora
8 th Prize - $1,750 Cash: Bill Keates of Richmond Hill
9 th Prize - $1,750 Cash: Andrea Hanak of Barrie
10 th Prize - $1,000 Cash: Silvano Piluso of Oak Ridges

"Through our Corporate Constitution, each year Magna gives a portion of its profits to support charitable groups and causes in those communities where our employees work and live,"

says

Jimmy Rankin - Photo by That's Country

Sandra Levy, event director for the Hoedown.

"Hosting an event like the Hoedown is one example of how Magna gives back to the community."

Proceeds of this yearï؟½s event and raffle support the following charities and not-for-profit organizations: Aurora Minor Hockey Association; Aurora Skating Club Inc.; Bereaved Families of York Region; Big Brothers Big Sisters of York; Canadian Mental Health Association - York Region Branch; Community Home Assistance To Seniors; Community Safety Village of York Region; Newmarket Soccer Club; Pathways for Children, Youth and Families of York Region; and York Region Food for Learning.

Magna congratulates all of this yearï؟½s winners and thanks everyone in attendance for supporting a good cause and, most of all, thanks the hundreds of volunteers who made this event possible.

Magna Chairman and founder, Frank Stronach with Barnard & Brohm, who opened the evening's entertainment - Photo courtesy of MJ Milhomens

Evening Headliner - George Canyon - Photo by That's Country

George Canyon and Marti Clayton, owner of That's Country - Photo by Marie Mikolich

There were also line dance lessons as shown here - Photo by That's Country