It was a busy day in Kinsmen Park on Sunday with the first outdoor Strathmore Day events being held, and the Strathmore Overnight Shelter was on hand to hold their March for Shelter.
The overnight shelter felt their event on Sunday was a success explained Carrilyn Fisk Board member and Fundraising Coordinator.
“The total from yesterday was just over $7500, we did really well. We're really happy with that and we haven't totaled the amount coming in from the donate now button yet so there will be more funds there as well.”
Yesterday’s event was incredibly successful, PJs Diner alone was able to raise almost $1000. Pam and John with PJs Diner were on hand with everyone’s favourite baked goods for purchase by donation, and donated the remaining food in kind at the end of the afternoon.
The overnight shelter is still pushing forward this month in hopes of reaching their $15000 goal, with the walk happening yesterday the opportunity to help is still there in the month of March. Donations can made directly on their website strathmoreovernightshelter.ca.
There is more in the works to continue to raise funds with a possible concert in June in the park, Pastor Elizabeth Karp explained on Sunday afternoon that one utility bill this year was $3500 they along with many others saw a large jump in the utility costs in 2022. Along with Pastor Karp, MLA Leela Aheer and Wheatland County Reeve Amber Link were on hand to speak to the importance of the overnight shelter both stating the impact it has had in the time it has been open. Mayor Fule was on hand earlier in the day but unable to attend the kick off.
The team from Papa Johns stopped by the park in the afternoon to hand out coupons and to let people know that a portion of sales for Sunday would also go directly back to the overnight shelter.
Along with monetary donations Fisk did note that there are other items that will always be of use, “We do always have the bottle donation going on. Sometimes we do big bottle drive, but we are always accepting bottles at the shelter. Then donations in kind if people want to donate food or clothing, they can just drop that off any time at the shelter and we're happy to receive that.”
The old saying goes it takes a village and the March for Shelter is no different, donations came in across Strathmore and Wheatland County from residents and businesses along the support of event sponsors, West Side Fishing, Crystal Ridge Dental, JMR- Jays Mechanical, M&M Pumps, NAPA Auto Parts, Strathmore Value Drug Mart, Drivers Collision, PJS Diner, Strathmore Canadian Tire, Audra Reinhardt- CIR Reality, Aquilla Homes, Strathmore Doge, Getz & Associates and Papa Johns Pizza.
Fisk said the team is filled with gratitude for the donations they have received in this month's campaign towards their $15000 goal and planning for future events to come together with the community.
Fri, May 3, 10:00 AM
