Generous donations fuel local not-for-profit

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Unwilling to bid his beloved Sing your High Note program adieu, Geordie Praeker made a special request for his 25th birthday in an attempt to ease the Hope Bridges Society’s financial burden and ensure the program’s continued existence.
Thousands of dollars in donations and grants are imperative for the local not-for-profit organization’s survival. The loss of a major government handout a few years ago along with an upsurge in memberships over recent years left the society struggling to match resources, thus forcing over two-thirds of programs to be axed this fall.
On Aug. 12, Praeker asked his guests to forego presents and instead gift him a toonie for him to spend at Tim Hortons and another toonie donation for the Hope Bridges Society.
Over 200 guests helped celebrate the quarter-century birthday, which resulted in a total donation of $420 to the organization. The generous gesture accompanied a well-attended turnout at the society’s 12 annual Artists Among Us fall gala and fundraiser event on Oct. 22, where Praeker presented the cheque to the staff.
“The Praekers are such incredible supporters of Hope Bridges,” said Wanda Reinholdt, program coordinator with Hope Bridges Society.
“Geordie loves to sing and Sing Your High Note is such a big thing for him. He looks forward to it and he loves this gala, and he did not want to see those things stop. And when we really had to narrow down our focus this year and have less programming, their hearts said we don’t want to see this stop.”
Sing Your High Note, drumming, Go Green Upcycling and Painted Quilts were the only four programs brought back this fall in comparison to last year’s 15 program lineup.
The society lost a provincial grant of $30,000 from the Community Initiative Program (CIP) in 2016 that largely covered operational costs. While donations from United Way, community grants and community groups keep the society afloat, a large increase in memberships is tightening the society’s purse strings.
Despite the loss of programming, Reinholdt remains unperturbed.
“It’s typical for a non-profit to grow like crazy as we did and grow past our funds and resources, which is where we are,” she said.
“Then you have to pull back, so that we can grow again. We have to gain momentum again, that’s just the way it is, it’s normal. It happens with non-profits all the time.”
The Hope Bridges Society’s gala event attracted various performers and musicians, including Juno-nominated and award-winning country singer Armond Duck Chief, award-winning performer and songwriter Jenn Beaupre, Wheatland Band member Lewis Frere, multi-instrumentalist Lisa Jacobs, Calgary-based singer and songwriter Amy Bishop, and accomplished musician Megan Konschuh.
The evening was also filled with performances by the Adaptive Drumming Circle, Rosebud School Chorale, Sing Your High Note, local singer Rachel Konschuh, and Chuck and the Amigos featuring, among others, none other than Goerdie Praeker.
Since he took part in the society’s programs almost five years ago, Praeker, who has Down syndrome and is known in Strathmore for his cookie business – Geordie’s Cookies – has reaped the benefits of the programs.
“We’re pretty proud,” said Herman Praeker, Geordie’s dad. “His speech is better with the music, and he’s happier.”
The Hope Bridges Society is a community-based, non-profit organization that utilizes art to connect with adults of all walks of life within the community. The Artists Among Us gala and fundraiser took place at Hope Community Covenant Church on Oct. 22, and is one of several fundraising efforts throughout the year.