Badgers give back

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Community Football Association (SCFA) performed an act of kindness last week by donating their $500 Strathmore Christmas Parade winnings to the Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society to help with the shortfall of donations this holiday season.
“As a board that’s what we determined to do with the prize money,” said SCFA president Carl Seafoot. “I think it was a good thing to do and it was a nice venue to do it to. Putting it somewhere where it’s going to help people over this time of year that are struggling.”
Seafoot had entered the football float in the parade not thinking of winning the money; when they found out they won, the association was wondering what they were going to do with the money. The Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society was an easy choice.
Chairperson of the Christmas Hamper Society, Gwen Moggey, thinks the donation made by the football association will go a long way in helping with the shortfall of donations this year and the future of giving in the community.
“The boys were a fantastic group in that they would donate their winnings to help those less fortunate to have a wonderful Christmas,” said Moggey. “I also think the community of Strathmore is in really good hands with youth setting such a wonderful example because those boys aren’t very old.
“Every donation helps. I mean $500 is a substantial donation … but these boys are youth and for a youth group to donate that much, that’s a lot of money.”
The money was used to purchase the necessary food and to make sure hampers got the supplies that were needed.
Town of Strathmore’s community services coordinator, Tracy Simpson, said the winners were picked by the public via social media. Nearly 100 people voted for two floats tied for first place, and two floats tied for second place.
“I think it’s pretty great,” she said. “They’re not the only floats that won that’s donating their money back, which I think is great. It’s nice to see that they’re carrying it forward. The idea behind the cash prizes was to give incentives for more people to participate in the parade and grow the event. It’s nice to see them use the money for something extra.”
The $500 has been spent on margarine for 247 hampers. Strathmore Pawn and Collectibles also donated their $300 parade winnings, to a veteran’s family in Strathmore. Debbie Murray, Real Estate Professionals, donated her $300 winnings back to Canada festivities for kids.