Online auction exceeds expectations

Times Reporter 

 

Many people have spent the past few weeks volunteering their time to help those devastated by the floods. While those affected appreciate the support being given in the form of lending a helping hand, some volunteers have gone above and beyond the idea of picking up a shovel. 

For Bobby Jo Wiebe, the need to do more originated from seeing the devastation at the Parkside Store in Wyndham. 

“We were there volunteering at Parkside Store, which is owned by a family close to my heart. A store that we all grew up going to and have so many memories from camping at the Wyndham Provincial Park campground,” said Wiebe. “The destruction was everywhere and it was completely devastating. I don’t know of anyone who didn’t leave there feeling they just wanted to do all they could to help.”

After seeing the popularity of her ‘ridiculously photogenic firefighter’ brother-in-law Shawn Wiebe, who had his smiling photo taken carrying an elderly woman out of flood water, Wiebe knew she had a way she could raise a little money for the Wyndham-Carseland area; by auctioning off a signed copy of the now famous picture. Things just grew from there. 

Wiebe started her auction by selling the photo for $125, and said she was already grateful by that point. She set an initial goal of raising $300. In the end she was able to raise $5,550. 

“This is truly about those who supported the idea. I am blessed to be amongst the biggest hearts in the world. I don’t know one person who hasn’t volunteered, donated items or come up with an idea in raising money for flood victims in High River, Calgary, Siksika and Wyndham,” said Wiebe. 

This was the first time Wiebe had undertaken a project like this, but she said something tells her this will not be the last time. 

“We all had so much fun and like my friend Amanda said, ‘it’s one big rolling ball of love,’” said Wiebe. 

Each day there were a number of different items to bid on, with one day having upwards of six different things. Wiebe said she thinks once people started to see what was going on and knew they could trust in it, they became more involved. It was close for which item raised the most funds, but a donation by Suzanne Sorensen for $1,745 for a signed Bob Thompson, chairman and president of the Calgary Stampede board, ‘Hell or High Water’ T-Shirt helped bring the total up to the $5,000 mark.

Next up for Wiebe is seeing if there are any companies who may be interested in matching the amount the online auction has raised. 

“So many companies have done so much already but if there is one still waiting for a chance to get involved we would love to join with you,” said Wiebe. 

Any business interested in matching the amount raised can contact BJ Wiebe at 403-616-5571.