Tom's stompin' board brings in $15,000 at Casino Rama on Canada Day

Rare Piece of Canadian Music Memorabilia goes to Toronto Man
Stompin’ Tom’s legendary Stompin’ Board raises $15,000 after Canada Day concert

The man who once knew what it was like to be in a sense homeless himself helped

those who are just that in the Orillia area last night.

Legendary Canadian performer Stompin' Tom Connors hands over his 
Stompin' Board to auction winner Rob Burgess, Toronto backstage at Casino Rama 
on Canada Day. Burgess won the Board in an auction that raised $15,000 for the 
Key Program in Orillia.

Canada’s iconic troubadour – Stompin’ Tom Connors, had generously donated

his most-famous stage accessory, his Stompin’ Board for auction

following his Canada Day concert at Casino Rama with the funds earmarked

to assist the Orillia and Areas, “Key Program”.

After a quick but lively bidding process, Rob Burgess of Toronto won the Board 
with a final bid of $11,000.  Adding even more excitement to the night both EMI 
Music Canada and Rocklands Entertainment, both long-time supporters of Connors, 
upped the donation to $15,000.

Burgess who hails from Toronto, flew in last evening from California 
specifically to see the concert and attend the auction, arriving only minutes 
before the show began.  He accepted the Board in the name of his late father, 
Ken, a long-time fan of Stompin’ Tom, and said the family would display their 
rare piece of Canadian memorabilia at the family cottage here in the Muskokas.

Despite Connor’s 45 years in the music business, this auction marked only the 
fifth time that the legendary boards have been available to Canadian fans and 
sets the record for funds raised.  The $15,000 will support the Key Program in 
Orillia, a Mental Health Initiative established to improve the quality of life 
for adults, living with serious mental health problems who are homeless or at 
high risk of becoming homeless by assisting them in accessing and maintaining 
safe, affordable and satisfactory housing.

About Rocklands Entertainment
For 30 years Rocklands has represented the finest in Canadian Entertainment, 
including for the past 22 years Stompin’ Tom Connors.  Rocklands is located in 
Peterborough Ontario

About Casino Rama
Operating since July 31, 1996, Casino Rama is Ontario's only First Nations 
commercial casino.  The Casino offers a complete entertainment experience with 
over 2,500 slot machines, more than 110 gaming tables, 10 unique restaurants, a 
world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre, and a 300-room all-suite, 
full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities.  Casino Rama is 
operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.

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