What’s better than raising more than $20,000 for cancer? Raising more than $20,000 for cancer and keeping the money right in our community.
Westlock Bowl is once again thinking pink this month with their annual month-long cancer-fundraising event — but this year they’re going to donate the proceeds to the Barrhead Cancer Centre.
“We decided that after many comments over the last couple of years about why doesn’t the money stay in Alberta, we’re keeping it in Alberta,” organizer Carolyn Kohlsmith said.
The small-town bowling alley has shocked Bowl Canada for the past three years during the Canada-wide Knockdown Cancer event by raising more than $20,000 each year — the most from any Canadian bowling alley by a wide margin. The three-year total is more than $71,000.
The proceeds from the national event go to the Canadian Cancer Society, however, and she said this year they want to keep the money close to home.
Kohlsmith said that during a recent visit to the Barrhead Cancer Centre, the nurses on staff told her there is sometimes limited space in two “closet-sized” rooms and the centre is hoping to soon make the move in the hospital’s old pediatrics wing, and while some extra fundraising money won’t necessarily speed up that process, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
She said she’d like to see another total exceeding $20,000 for this year’s fundraiser, and hopes to beat previous years’ totals with some support from the other side of the Pembina, as well.
“Since the money’s going to Barrhead, it would be really nice to get some support from Barrhead,” she said.
There are several ways in which people can get involved in the fundraiser.
All the league bowlers in Westlock will be collected pledges from friends, family and anyone else who wants to cough up a few bucks. There have been some impressive fundraising totals well into four digits from bowlers in the past.
There is a business-bowl competition going on over the next two weekends, in which local businesses can enter teams and raise money for the cause — and for bragging rights about who has raised the most money.
“I know the ladies at the town office and the Citizens on Patrol group are always trying to beat each other,” she said. “And everybody’s always trying to beat out Drayden Insurance, but they’ve been first for the last three years with their fundraising.”
There will be a “Chinese Auction” style silent auction, as well, with donated prizes people can buy tickets for a chance to win, and the three Westlock schools have committed to doing a coin collection — which has yielded several thousand dollars in past years.
As for why people should participate, Kohlsmith said the answer is obvious.
“Who doesn’t have someone in their family or a friend who’s been affected by cancer? The answer to that is nobody, in this day and age,” she said.
And on top of that, she said it’s just a whole lot of fun.
For more information about the fundraiser or to get involved, contact Kohlsmith at 780-349-3347.
