(Posted 9:30 a.m., March 1)
International Food Fair raises $11,000 for Heart and Stroke Foundation
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Elvis tribute artist Shawn Berry wows the crowd during the Heart and Stroke Foundation International Food Fair at the Orléans Legion on Sunday. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The Orléans Legion held another successful International Food Fair on Sunday, raising close to $11,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in the process.

Over 500 participants were able to sample food from such places as the Netherlands, Lebanon, Japan and Thailand while listening to award winning Elvis tribute artist Shawn Berry.

The highlight of the afternoon was a live auction which raised thousands of dollars. The highest bid went to a hockey stick signed by members of Canada's gold medal winning women's hockey team which fetched $2,500.

The winning bid was submitted by Ace Body Shop owner Lionel Laurin who co-organized the event. After paying for the stick, Laurin said he planned to resell it on e-bay to raise even more money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

"The reason why I paid so much for it is because it's worth at least that much if not more. I wasn't going to let it go for anything under $2,000," said Laurin.

The International Food Fair has grown into one of the most successful fundraising events held at the Legion with nearly 20 local businesses and and individuals donating food including the Embassy of the Kingdon of the Netherlands and the Royal Thai Museum.

Arguably the most popular kiosk was the Really Lebanese station which was manned by the Garlic King himself. Dressed in full royal regalia, owner Adel Azzi handed out marinated chicken, tabouli, hommus, pita bread and, of course, plenty of garlic sauce to an appreciative throng of hungry subjects.

One of the biggest smiles in the room was being worn by Orléans Legion president Frank Stacey who proudly wore his autographed Team Canada jersey which was given to him by his son Doug who also happens to be the physiotherapist for the women's hockey team.

While the food provided the backdrop for the event, the star was local Elvis impersonator Shawn Berry who is one of the best in North America.

Berry covered all of the King's hits during three highly entertaining sets and and an equal number of costume changes. All of which provided the perfect lead-in to the highly anticipated gold medal hockey game between Canada and the USA.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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