A Lac La Ronge Indian Band corner store won a promotional contest and has donated its winnings to a local organization.
The Keethanow Corner Store, run by the Keethanow Group of Businesses, won $2,500 in the contest put on by Old Dutch Chips and Pratt’s Fine Food. The contest judges participants on sales percentage increases and has winners donate their prize money to local organizations.
Dennis Caplette, general manager of Keethanow Group of Businesses, said giving back is important to the organization.
“I think for us, what we really want to be known as is a group of businesses that gives back to the community and it’s really important for us to be able to do these things.”
Caplette said they chose to give the money to Mikisiw Awasis Early Learning Centre because they want to invest in the community’s children.
“They’re a learning centre that helps with childhood education so anytime that we can give back to a cause that benefits children as a whole, I think it’s important that we continue to do so.”
Caplette said they plan to enter again next year so they can continue donating to different local organizations.
He said being able to put money back into the community is a great feeling.
“When we win something like this, or we achieve this goal of giving back to the community, there’s no better feeling than that.”
The Keethanow Gas Bar won the contest in 2019, splitting its $5,000 prize pot to give to the La Ronge Food Bank and Children North Early Childhood Intervention Program.
(PHOTO: Representatives from Pratt’s Fine Foods and Old Dutch joined Keethanow Group of Businesses general manager Dennis Caplette as he gave the $2,500 donation to a representative from Mikisiw Awasis Early Learning Centre. Photo by Sam Campling.)