Joe’s Diner to host fish-and-chips fundraiser for Thames River Paddling Club

The Thames River Paddling Club (TRPC) at the Stratford Dragon Boat Festival. The club is bringing back a Fish-and-Chips fundraising dinner at Joe’s Diner on April 18.

By Emily Stewart

The Thames River Paddling Club (TRPC) and Joe’s Diner are partnering again for a tasty fundraiser.

There will be a fish-and-chips dinner special in support of the TRPC and its programming on April 18 at Joe’s Diner, with takeout and dine-in options available. Those looking to dine inside the restaurant can either attend the 4:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. seatings and enjoy a two-piece fish-and-chips dinner with soup or salad, coffee or tea and dessert for $35. Takeout dinners can be purchased for $20.

“It’s great to bring this event back for a second year. It was nice to see the community come out and support us last year and we’re excited to build on that and make it an annual tradition,” Ben Gerber, coach and president, said to the Independent.

Last year’s fish-and-chips fundraiser had more than 70 people participate. All proceeds from the fundraiser will support the canoeing, kayaking and dragon boating programs run by the TRPC through their equipment fund. The TRPC is particularly focusing on raising funds to purchase a new dragon boat.

“As a volunteer-based club, community support really makes a difference for us. We have members of all ages and experience levels, and while many come from outside the area, we’re really starting to grow and build a presence here in St. Marys,” Gerber said. “Events like this help connect us locally and allow us to continue offering accessible, inclusive programs on the water.”

The club offers programming for children, youth and adults looking to spend time on the water at the Wildwood Conservation Area. The three-week introductory dragon boat program for adults starts in early May and wraps up at the annual Wildwood Dragon Boat Festival challenge. The youth introductory dragon boat program for those between 12-to-17-years-old, runs for five weeks and concludes at the Fanshawe Dragon Boat Festival in London, Ont. in mid-June.

The TRPC will also have its annual Wildwood Dragon Boat Challenge on May 23, where teams and community groups come together for a day of fun and friendly competition. The Wildwood Dragon Boat Challenge is also supporting its event partner, Andrew’s Legacy, a non-profit organization installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public areas and raising awareness on the life-saving device and CPR in memory of Andrew Stoddart.

Tickets for the fish-and-chips fundraiser can be purchased in-person at Joe’s Diner, 528 Queen St. E, St. Marys, or online by visiting www.thamesriverpaddlingclub.com.