ATHABASCA — If you have ever been out on the walking trails from the Athabasca County administration building all the way to Edwin Parr Composite, thank a Rotarian.
The Rotary Club of Athabasca’s Celebrity Dinner and Auction Oct. 28 draws near, and as always the goal of the star-studded event is to continue to help fund local projects and keeping youth programming in the community.
“The Rotary Club of Athabasca invests tens of thousands of dollars in the Athabasca-area community projects and programs each year,” said member and event organizer Rob Balay. “Our primary fundraising goal this year is to complete our final payment of our $250,000 commitment for the Aquatic and Fitness Centre which opened in January of 2019.”
The club has done more than the trails and aquatic centre at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex though, with the Rotary Tobogganning Hill opening last year; the clock downtown across from the Grand Union Hotel; providing tablets to seniors during the pandemic so they could video chat with family; the outdoor fitness equipment at Riverfront Park; and many other projects, large and small, but it’s the youth-focused programs which need particular attention, said Balay.
“Examples of community programs we provide are the Don't Meth with Us program, Rotary Youth Exchange, SummerScape Art Youth Program with Red Deer College, Students New at Golf and our EPC (Edwin Parr Composite) Interact Club,” said Balay.
Interact is for youth 12 to 18 years old to inspire them to become community leaders and responsible global citizens.
“Funds from our celebrity dinner event help us sustain these youth-focused programs yearly,” he said. “We could not provide all these programs if it were not for this event, so thanks to everyone who helps make this event such a success.”
It’s not just buying a seat for dinner and being entertained by champion men's curler Kevin Martin or the expert in laughs, MC Danny Hooper, it is taking part in all the opportunities to walk away with some fantastic prizes.
“We have a one week stay in Puerto Vallarta and then a one week stay in Florida,” said club member and event organizer Natasha Kapitaniuk. “It’s people donating their timeshares for a week which is really cool.”
There’s even a $500 travel credit from Via Rail, a ladies e-bike, a Stihl chainsaw, a decorated Christmas tree and a bunch of stuff from Canadian Tire in Athabasca.
“Canadian Tire has given us some really great packages, as I like to call them the winter fun and summer fun packages,” Kapitaniuk said. “The summer package is tents, kayaks, barbecue, cooler, et cetera, and the winter package is an ice fishing tent, gas auger, heaters, and nice rods.”
From quilts to wine racks to art and much more, there is something for everyone, Kapitaniuk said.
Tickets are on sale at Showpass.com or through Darlene Reimer at [email protected] and selling quickly.
