Castlegar A&W joined hundreds of A&W's across Canada on Thursday for Cruisin' for a Cause. The event raises money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis.
The event has become an annual tradition both in Castlegar and throughout Canada with each restaurant having their own unique way of doing it. At the Castlegar location there was a magician performing tricks, an appearance by the great Root Bear, Mountain FM live, and, of course, several classic cars and trucks.
"A&W has been supporting MS for the last four years and we do it from coast to coast," said Trish Sahlstrom, vice-president of purchasing and distribution for A&W Canada. "There's over 750 restaurants in Canada that today (Aug. 23) are selling teen burgers and donating $1 from each of those burgers to the MS Society of Canada. The funds actually find there way back to the locale in which the restaurants are situated and was raised."
In the last three years, A&W Canada has raised more than $2 million for the MS Society. The target this year, says Sahlstrom, is $1.5 million.
"I think it just gets better every year," said Shirley Henderson, franchisee for Castlegar A&W. "We do a lot of giveaways, a lot of prizes. We all wear nice t-shirts for a couple of months. The staff really gets into it. I think for them it's a great cause because MS actually affects a lot of people that you may not know. it touches so many people that you may not be aware of."