How many people are amazed at how this community is getting behind the effort to have Chatham-Kent occupy a space on the new Canadian version of the 75th anniversary edition of the Monopoly board game?
Chatham-Kent quickly rose to among the top three communities generating the highest percentage of votes and is showing no signs of stopping.
The Chatham Daily News has received numerous letters to the editor and e-mails encouraging people to vote for Chatham-Kent at www.monopolyvote.ca.
Eileen Barnes began a Facebook group over a week ago and said there is already more than 3,000 members.
“We have some people from Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara Falls, who used to live here, voting for Chatham-Kent,” she said.
Barnes added there are some Oshawa residents, who have never lived in Chatham-Kent, who have joined the group and are supporting the local bid.
“The biggest thing is pride,” the Chatham resident said of why she believes so many people are getting behind Chatham-Kent for this contest.
“Chatham isn’t huge, but it has a lot of history . . . people just love it,” she said.
Barnes said she is tired of having to explain to people she meets from out-of-town that Chatham-Kent is located between London and Windsor.
“This could be a chance to get more people know about our community,” she said.
Barnes said those joining the group receive daily reminders to vote.
Speaking of voting, Maurice Beaulieu contacted The Daily News to get the word out about terms and conditions of the voting process.
He said after next Friday, the leader board won’t be on the web site, but people can still vote.
“I don’t want (people) to stop voting because they can’t see the leaders,” said the Chatham resident.
Beaulieu is certainly doing his part to help rack up the votes for Chatham-Kent. He said he is voting 10 times a day, thanks to new e-mail addresses he’s created on Yahoo, Google and MSN, along with his work and home e-mails.
Beaulieu said the goal is to have Chatham-Kent occupy the Boardwalk, the most prestigious space on the board.
“I’m really excited . . . I want Chatham-Kent to be on the board,” he said. “I’m a proud citizen. We should show the rest of Canada we exist.”

Local residents have sure been doing their part to show earthquake victims in Haiti that Chatham-Kent exists — and cares.
Fundraisers are being held all over the place from schools to businesses and people have been making personal donations. Just look at the more than $40,000 the local Red Cross branch has collected.
Richard and Joanna Ellis, owners of the Deli Bagel on King Street in Chatham, donated all sales — not just profits — made on Thursday to help people in Haiti.
The deli, which opens from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, donated $332 to the Salvation Army for its Haiti Relief project.
“We were just going to do our own private donation,” said Richard. “We thought, ‘What could be do to get more people involved.”
He added, “Chatham is a town that knows how to give.”
Joanna said some students from Marvel Beauty School offered to come in and volunteer their time. She added former owner Linda Jacques also came by to help.
They were busy making pre-ordered wraps when a customer came in and left a $20 bill for a coffee.
“That first $20 makes it all worthwhile,” Joanna said.

Cat lovers out there will appreciate this story from Chatham resident David Lawson.
He recently sent photos and shared his experience of adopting Beau Jangles from the local branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Feeling depressed about life after suffering a workplace injury that left him disabled and in chronic pain, Lawson decided to try lift his spirits by visiting the OSPCA to bring some treats to the animals.
It wasn’t long before he decided he wanted to adopt one of the many cats that occupy the shelter.
Lawson admits it wasn’t smooth sailing when he brought Beau Jangles home.
He knew Beau Jangles needed some training as well as some reassurance, noting the cat sometimes became very aggressive and would scratch and bite him out of fear.
Lawson admits to thinking he might have made a mistake in adopting the cat, but noted, “I just didn’t want to give up on him after all he had been through and I’m truly glad I didn’t.”
After showing Beau Jangles a lot of love and understanding, Lawson said, “one day (Beau Jangles) just clicked and he knew he was safe here and changed.
“He no longer bites or scratches me and he is so lovable and cuddly that he sleeps every night with his head on my pillow next to mine,” he added.
In a world that is sometimes chaotic or short on love and compassion, Lawson said, “I know a place where you can always find love and someone who needs you, too.”
He encourages people to consider adopting a pet this year from the OSCPA.
“I promise you will not regret it and neither will your pet.”