United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes has announced the cancellation of this year’s annual Crayola Sale. The event has taken place every fall for over 30 years and raised more than $1 million for United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Representatives of both UWCKL and Crayola Canada say that the decision to cancel this event, like many others that have recently been postponed or cancelled was based on safety and health concerns due to the ongoing pandemic.

“While the decision to cancel the annual sale was a difficult one, the health and safety of staff, customers, and volunteers is our highest priority, says Paul Murphy, General Manager of Crayola Canada. “The cancellation of the sale does not alter Crayola Canada’s commitment to our relationship with the UWCKL. We look forward to continuing to work with them and to finding new ways to support their efforts within our community.”

“Crayola Canada has and continues to support our community work. In the 30 years of working together with Crayola Canada employees, we have formed a deep bond and we have continued our work to help people in our community,” says Penny Barton Dyke, Executive Director of UWCKL.

“We are proud to continue projects such as Edwin Binney’s Community Garden, and the Crayola Sale and we are working together to find creative solutions during this trying time. It is paramount that we all continue to find ways to keep one another safe and to support our communities,” she adds.

The event’s organizers are currently working toward an alternative to the annual Crayola Sale.