Help PPCI Costume Shop to Continue Bringing SMILES

June 24th, 2024

by Penny Pincher Costumes Inc. Organizer

Greetings, friends, revised and resent

August 8th, 2024

GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/77e0f6d2

https://www.gofundme.com/f/costumes-and-entertainment-are-better-when-shared?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=FP_IGV_Post&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram_feed

Hello friends,

I am Brenda Eszenyi, the legal Owner and CEO of Penny Pincher Costumes Inc/Entertainer Central on Concession St, Hamilton. COVID has hit us very hard over the past 4+ years, forcing us to be closed for our three busiest seasons: Easter, Halloween, and Christmas, for our first 3+ years on Concession St, and then on and off for the next year. We dealt with the many shutdowns, hoping to increase sales and rentals and replenish stock.

The recovery is slower than hoped for, and we (Terry Rhodes and I, Brenda Eszi) are asking for your help with $35,000 to go towards unpaid back rent to our landlord and other accumulated bills we've encountered during the many closures, to serve you better, our valued customers. Terry has been walking the 5K route on Concession Street in Hamilton in different costumes, most Fridays from 12:30-2:30 pm, and most of our time on Concession Street, at No Charge to anyone, to lift people's spirits and say Hello! I would accompany him on the walk when possible and take pics of our adventures. Our costumes, mascots, and Entertainer-Terry Rhodes have been rented out for many different themes and occasions, as whichever Costumed Entertainer Character had been requested, for various functions throughout Hamilton and areas.

When a family's child was at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation for their last brain cancer radiation treatment, The Pediatric Radiation Therapist, Melanie C. from Hamilton Health Sciences at Juravinski, would call on us to visit with Terry dressed as their child's favourite character. So, we would show up at Juravinski to best fit the family's schedule, as the character requested, to surprise the child. We have visited 18 young children in the past few years, especially during COVID-19, between the ages of 2 to 8 years of age, following their last brain cancer surgery radiation treatment, in their child's favourite costumed mascot/character. Santa and Mrs Claus also visited Juravinski Cancer Centre at Christmas last year to see three children at once. We participate in many activities with the Concession Street Community and surrounding areas, including cleaning the many local Sports groups' Mascots.

Donated Funds will be used to pay back rent and other accumulated bills to help us serve you better! An e-transfer, cash or cheque would be greatly appreciated to help us get back on our feet. We were emailed on August 3, 2024, to be informed to have all the back rent paid by August 31, 2024, or the PPCI doors would be locked on September 1st. (PPCI's BATMAN for a child's 6th birthday surprise - June 22nd, 2024—pictured with permission.) Thank you very much for your support.

With Kindest Regards,

Brenda and Terry

Penny Pincher Costumes Inc/Entertainer Central

Hamilton, ON.