WESTLOCK – On Tuesday, Nov. 19 the Hope Westlock non-profit group held their 13th annual fundraiser, Dance 4 Hope, their largest fundraising event to date.
The Hope Resource Centre was founded in 2008 to support families impacted by relationship violence and abuse in our community.
“In 2023- 2024 we served 228 adults plus 103 children and that number is growing each year,” remarked Sylvia Yoder, Executive Director of the Hope Resource Centre.
The event was moved to November to recognize the importance of November being the Family Violence Prevention Month and November 25th being recognized as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“Alberta has the third highest rate of self-reported spousal violence amongst Canadian provinces,” states the Alberta.ca website.
"There's been a huge spike unfortunately with family violence and it's not going away. If anything, it's increasing,” shared Yoder.
“What does the fundraiser do? It means that we can maintain our advocacy for the vulnerable. It means we can continue challenging inadequate systems.
“It means that we will continue to provide consistent supports for those that we see, hear, feel and care so deeply for.”
Donations are accepted year-round for the Hope Centre to continue their important work for community members.
“The funding comes from women that are committed with many of these people that participated in the event.”
The dancers who participated in the Dance 4 Hope event paid a registration fee and were given a pledge sheet.
They went out and marketed for the Hope Centre collecting pledges and money for the fundraiser.
“They all worked so hard, being our marketing people and successfully getting pledges to support our organization,” commented Yoder. “This is something that they've done for 13 years! Remarkable, generous people!
“That's how invested these individuals are in the work that is done here in this community,” said Yoder.
The fundraiser event raised $19,122. It was a compilation of funds where a generous donor matched the pledges raised by the participants to achieve this record-breaking total.
Kerri Wiegand was the featured Jazzercise instructor who led the 25 attendees through a fun filled evening of dance.
Wiegand has been part of this amazing event since the beginning.
This year is bittersweet in that Wiegand will not be returning to her role in the event next year.
A beautiful quilt handmade by local artisan Glenda Polis was presented to Wiegand at the event.
“The quilt was given to remind her of the multifaceted skill sets and supports that she's brought to Hope Centre with her assistance,” commented Yoder.
“It was an honour that custom of the blanket ceremony where we are surrounding you with our love, our support, our gratitude, will remain with her all the time.
“Our fundraiser is all about our purpose and passion is in building a safer community by reducing barriers to safety and supports. Bridging rural and urban partnerships increasing awareness and serving those impacted by domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, trauma and colonialism.”
The Hope Centre supports the Town of Westlock, Westlock County and the Village of Clyde.
