Cineplex Odeon hosts Community Day

by Kirsti Ridsdale

Face painting, balloon animals and free movies were part of the Cineplex Odeon’s annual Community Day to raise money for sick children.

The proceeds are being donated to Starlight Children’s Foundation. Doors opened at 8:30 a.m, movies started at 9 a.m and the last movie played at 10:15 a.m. While the movies were free, regular popcorn, pop and candy cost $2. People were also encouraged donate $2 and get a pin or a star on the wall of the theatre.

General Manager of the Devonshire Mall Cineplex Jim Marcarian said there was a good turnout and he hopes this year all the Cineplex theatres participating can top the $400,000 raised last year.

“It was a pretty good turn out raised a lot of money for charity glad the money raised in Windsor, stays in Windsor. When we opened the doors this morning there was a group of people waiting to come in,” said Marcarian.

Starlight Children’s Foundation provide Xbox systems to make it easier for the kids who are sick to feel better about being in the hospital situation, make them more at ease and provide things for the families involved.

“We had to participate but our staff volunteered their time to be here helping out,” said Marcarian.

Cineplex donated $3,000 to the foundation alone this year. Trixie the Clown and Skittles the Clown were also there all day making balloon animals for kids and painting their faces. Felicia Fox brought her two children to the show.

“My kids are really enjoying the day, and I think there should be more events like this,” said Fox.

Marcarian said he was pleased to see how many employees came out and volunteered and it was great that they had more help than they needed.

Hasko Hadzalic, 21, volunteered for the second year in a row. He said he thinks it’s great to see everyone in the community coming out to give to Starlight Children’s Foundation to help the kids in hospital.

“I decided to come help out again this year because it is a charitable event,” said Hadzalic. “The only thing different from last year would be it wasn’t as busy as last year, but still raised a good amount of money.”

Marcarian said he hopes Cineplex Odeon will continue this event every year to raise money for children in need.