Rainbow Toyota will host one of 24 stops of the Reels on Wheels drive-in movie tour, supporting local charities with drive-in movie showings. (submitted photo/Prairie Toyota Dealers)

By Josh Ryan

Family drive-in

Rainbow Toyota sponsoring drive-in show for Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Aug 19, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Rainbow Toyota, through the Prairie Toyota Dealers Association, is partnering with Fresh Air Cinema to bring a drive-in movie showing to North Battleford on August 25, as part of the Reels on Wheels tour.

The drive-in tour, which will host showings in 24 communities across Western Canada, is focused on bringing communities together and fundraising for local charities.

Anyone wanting to attend the outdoor movie screening simply has to show up in their vehicle, tune into the FM radio station and watch the show, adhering to social distancing guidelines. There’s also giveaways planned and a grand prize contest featuring a one-year lease of a 2020 Toyota vehicle and a private VIP backyard movie experience. Sheldon Lachambre of the Prairie Toyota Dealers Association said they wanted to do something for each community, due to the many hardships faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Why not put on a family friendly community event, something that’s nostalgic, that people might remember from their childhood?” Lachambre said. “And do it all for charities.”

Rainbow Toyota’s event in North Battleford will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords, with the gates opening at 8:30 p.m. on August 25, with the show starting an hour later. Lachambre said Fresh Air Cinema has done many events across the Prairies before, but nothing on this scale.

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“This is one of the first they’ve done in Saskatchewan, where it’s one company doing a large tour across the Prairies,” he said.

Fresh Air Cinema, which has hosted hundreds of drive-in shows, is going on its first Saskatchewan tour. (Ssbmitted photo/Prairie Toyota Dealers)

The movie being shown is Pixar’s Onward, which saw a brief release in theatres before the pandemic. Lachambre said options for finding newer releases was limited, but Onward fit the bill.

“Something that’s somewhat new and fresh and family friendly for everybody,” he said. “As with most Pixar movies, there’s some good messages and adults seem to like it [as well].”

The suggested donation is $20, based on people’s ability to donate amidst the tough economy. Lachambre said they felt it critical to provide this support to charities, considering how much non-profits have struggled since spring.

“There’s a lot of charities that have had to stop fundraising or stop holding events due to COVID-19,” he said. “They thrive on sponsorships, which is why we’re coming along.”

The news came as a surprise to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords. When program coordinator Renee Sperling saw the announcement, she said she was taken aback.

“To have someone do that in the background without us even having to apply for it and to really recognize the work we do in the community. I don’t even know if I have the words for it to be honest with you,” she said. “It was just an unbelievable surprise.”

“Anytime a non-profit gets an act of generosity like that, it really touches us in our hearts.”

The struggles of charities is one familiar for the group, who had to change their programming due to costs. This effects everything from one-on-one mentoring to group activities.

“We don’t know what the future looks like for fundraising for a lot of us,” she said. “And the majority of our budget and the programs we’re able to offer is because of the fundraising money that comes in.”

Sperling said Big Brothers Big Sisters will do everything they can to promote the event, thank Rainbow Toyota and Fresh Air Cinema and help provide a memorable movie night for families in the Battlefords.

“We want to make sure people get to have that sunshine moment together,” she said.

Tickets for the event are available on eventbrite.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports