Brenda and Randal (Randy) Roote of Saugeen First Nation’s Roote’s Gas Bar, along with funds from Kyle and Jacob Roote of Top Shelf Dispensary, set out on Friday, December 8th (2023) to give back to the community.
Their first stop was G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton, where
the Rootes’ grandchildren attend. The school is in a fundraising campaign for a new playground to meet safety standards. Members of the Southampton Rotary Club, that began the initiative to fundraise for the playground, were on hand to welcome the Roote family who made a major donation of $10,000, in addition to $500 for the school breakfast club.
The school however, was only the first stop on the list as Brenda and Randy continued to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Port Elgin. There, they presented two donations of $2,500 from the Roote’s Gas Bar and another $2,500 from Top Shelf Dispensary. “My dad always donated to the Salvation Army at Christmas,” said Randy Roote, “and I just want to continue that tradition.”
From the Food Bank, the Rootes moved on to the last stop on their list, the Saugeen First Nation. At the Band Administration Office, they met with Chief Conrad Ritchie and Erin Kewaquom who accepted donations of $2,500 for the Food Bank from each and another $2,500 from each for the Band Christmas Toy Drive for a total of $10,000.
“We have to help each other in these difficult times,” added Randy Roote. “We wish everyone a joyous holiday season and all the best in the new year.”
