While the Magna Corral will remain shuttered with the second cancellation of the Magna Hoedown during the pandemic, the company how vowed to continue supporting the many local charities that have come to rely on this largest fundraising event in York Region.
Magna International Inc. has launched a community fund to support 30 non-profit groups, CEO Swamy Kotagiri announced.
“In keeping with this spirit of the hoedown, I am proud to announce on behalf of Magna and Neighbourhood Network the Magna Hoedown Community Fund benefiting 30 local charities in lieu of this year’s event,” said Kotagiri in a news release. “Thank you to our Magna employees and the community for your ongoing support of the Magna Hoedown, and for helping us spread joy, not germs throughout the pandemic.”
For more than three decades, thousands of cowboys and cowgirls have attended the annual two-day event held in a massive tent on the Magna grounds in Aurora, helping to raise nearly $14 million to date.
"The Magna Hoedown is part of (our) legacy of giving and has united York Region residents to support charitable organizations," the release states.
Typically, it takes a year of planning by Magna's Neighbourhood Network team to host the successful event and "given the considerable lead time needed for an event of this magnitude, as well as the evolving public health guidelines related to the pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event," manager Erin Cerenzia said.
"As we all continue in the fight against COVID-19, it is more important than ever to support local charities who are providing critical services to our communities. This is what the Magna Hoedown tradition has always been about: neighbours coming together and raising much needed funds for important causes," she said.
For more information about the Magna Hoedown Community Fund, including charitable application details and deadlines, visit www.hoedown.ca.
