Earl Pennington and Louise Dockstader ( Presenting a Cheque

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Earl Pennington and Louise Dockstader (at right) have volunteered their time for more than a year to hand out rapid antigen screening kits to small- and medium-sized businesses from the distribution centre run by the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron. Their contribution was recognized with donations totalling $1,100 to the local non-profit organizations they represent, the Kinsmen Club of Goderich and Goderich Little Theatre. The donations were made possible by Bruce Power, which donated $15,000 to support the distribution centre, including $12,000 to provide to non-profit organizations that help run the centre. The cheques were presented by Kate Marshall, Communications Specialist, Bruce Power (second from left) and Jennifer Verdam-Woodward, Chair, Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron.

GODERICH – Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron has resumed distribution of free rapid antigen screening kits to small- and medium-sized businesses in the area.

After a supply delay of five months, the volunteers are back to handing out kits, this time from new partner business location, Goderich Toyota. Businesses must book through the website and receive an appointment notification before pickup. Kits can be ordered here: https://huronchamber.ca/rapid-antigen-screening-kit/

To celebrate the re-opening of its distribution centre at its new home, the Chamber presented its volunteers with cheques totalling $1,100 to support their designated non-profit organization in the community. Drawing on funds donated by Bruce Power to support the distribution centre, the Chamber was able to provide $600 to the Kinsmen Club of Goderich and $500 to Goderich Little Theatre / The Livery.

“This has been an important project for the Chamber, and it could not have been done without the help of so many other community-minded people and organizations. We are all doing our part to keep businesses open and the community safe,” said Chamber operations manager, Heather Boa.

“In particular, Louise Dockstader and Earl Pennington has been an integral part of our success. They have been there at every single step along the way, offering their help and swiftly adjusting to the changes were inevitable in an initiative such as this.”

“The Huron Chamber of Commerce’s rapid antigen test distribution centre has played an important role in keeping the people who work for our small- and medium-sized businesses safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said John Peevers, Director, Community & Media Relations, & Economic Development. “Bruce Power is proud to have provided funding for this important public safety initiative, and I thank the many volunteers who have been integral to the program’s success.”

Last year, the Chamber provided $1,200 to Goderich Little Theatre, Kinsmen Club of Goderich and Huron and Area Search and Rescue.

The Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron is one of a number of chambers of commerce and boards of trades providing free rapid tests for small- and medium-sized businesses in communities across the province until at least July 31, 2022.

Businesses (including non-chamber members) with 150 employees or less are welcome to participate in this program. The goal of the program is to identify asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in the workplace that might otherwise be missed, helping to curb the spread in the workplace, at home and around the community.

Participating businesses receive a two-week supply of kits in order to test employees three times weekly.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Ontario and Canadian governments, launched the COVID-19 Rapid Screening Initiative.

This initiative is delivered locally in partnership and participation by numerous community leaders, who did not hesitate to answer the call for assistance. Partners and participants include: Town of Goderich, Bruce Power, Goderich Little Theatre, Huron and Area Search and Rescue, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital and Goderich Toyota.

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Photo cutline:

Earl Pennington and Louise Dockstader (at right) have volunteered their time for more than a year to hand out rapid antigen screening kits to small- and medium-sized businesses from the distribution centre run by the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron. Their contribution was recognized with donations totalling $1,100 to the local non-profit organizations they represent, the Kinsmen Club of Goderich and Goderich Little Theatre. The donations were made possible by Bruce Power, which donated $15,000 to support the distribution centre, including $12,000 to provide to non-profit organizations that help run the centre. The cheques were presented by Kate Marshall, Communications Specialist, Bruce Power (second from left) and Jennifer Verdam-Woodward, Chair, Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron.