Organization AIMS for greater turnout

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Government cutbacks and the absence of a provincial budget left the Foothills Advocacy In Motion Society (AIMS) branch in Strathmore with a funding shortage and a client freeze this year.
Despite ample support from local businesses to contribute in a financial turnaround by contributing prize donations for the sixth annual AIMS fundraising event in a few days time, participation in the event thus far continues to remain low.
“They haven’t announced a budget yet so we’re kind of sitting on the fence until we find out what the new budgets are,” said Bev Roppel, the program manager for Strathmore AIMS. “Right now there’s a freeze of new individuals coming in, because of the funding shortfall, so we’re hoping to see some new faces coming in.”
The provincial government contributed over $3 million to the three different AIMS branches – High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore – that currently deal with 90 clients. In Strathmore, those numbers translate to 18 individuals for a staff of 12. Unless the situation is critical or a client comes equipped with their own funding, the Strathmore branch lacks capacity to accommodate new clients.
Therefore, the society is hopeful that numbers to participate in the Chinook Financial Tight & Bright Family Run, the annual AIMS fundraiser, will spike over the next few days, beat last year’s turnout, and raise necessary funds required to continue their programs.
“We support individuals that have a disability so mostly a mental disability and actually it’s opening up to other disabilities also,” Roppel said. “We help them become part of the community and support them where they need support. If it’s in a job, or out in the community getting to know the community and being a part of the community, helping them have a life that they’re interested in having, as well as making sure the community accepts them for who they are and the abilities that they have.”
While numbers of participants for the 2015 2 km, 5 km, or 10 km run or walk are low – only a handful compared to last year’s 75 – the opposite holds true for support from Strathmore’s business community.
Forty-five prizes were made available for the upcoming event, more than ever before, including assistance from the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society, the Strathmore branch No. 10 of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Chinook Financial – a longtime supporter who donated a whopping $3,000 at last year’s event.
“Each Credit Union and speaking for Chinook, we’re entrenched in the community, and we’re member owned, which kind of dictates that we look after our members as well so that the money that we have always goes back into our communities,” said Kimberley Sharkey-Thompson, regional branch manager for Chinook Financial. “So we do have a little bit of autonomy to decide where that money is going back into and what we’re going to support. Particularly when they’re so invested in their organization, the committee is so invested, they’re a working board and they volunteer themselves. And again that speaks to what we do as well. We’re out there and we give back in the same way. So looking for like-minded organizations it makes good partnerships.”
Since early 2009, AIMS operated within Strathmore and continues to work together with individuals with disabilities to live, work, and be active within the community. AIMS clients also contribute Strathmore tremendously through volunteer work. Recipients of their input include schools, the Strathmore Municipal Library, churches, Parent Link, and the Wheatland Lodge.
With a goal of 100 residents gathering at Kinsmen Park on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m., the organization continues to encourage community members to get involved and surpass last year’s $5,000 funds raised. To take part in the Chinook Financial Tight & Bright Family Run, contact the AIMS society at 403-934-4888, sign up through the running room website, or acquire a late registration on the morning of the race. Entry is $35, and $30 for the 2 km Kids Run.