Travelling Cream Can raises funds for crisis shelter

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Four business-savvy and community-minded women are applying their spin on the Travelling Cream Can Fundraiser by raffling off a big-ticket item to raise funds and awareness for the Wheatland Crisis Shelter.
Realtors Hayley Poirier, Christa Aleman, Carey Rose and Michelle Eldjarnson, with REPs Group Re/Max First, are in possession of the notable cream can for the month of September.
The group bid on the can last October during the Wheatland Crisis Society’s (WCS) 25th annual anniversary fall gala, along with 11 other local businesses to house the artifact for a designated month in 2018.
This month, the REPs Group pooled their funds and created a cedar loveseat and outdoor living package at a value of $300 to be raffled off with proceeds going to the society. The group will also be bringing the can to various communities and events whenever possible.
In the past, the realtors could be spotted pouring hot chocolate and scooping bags of popcorn at local downtown markets, fundraisers and community events.
However, this initiative pulled at their heartstrings.
“We love to be out in the community and not that we lean towards one area versus another, but I think this speaks to all of us because we’re moms,” said Poirier.
“The (WCS) recognizes all genders and all situations which really spoke to us, the idea that it helped anybody in need to be able to have a safe place.”
The Wheatland Crisis Society is a short-term shelter that provides continuous support and services to men, women and children who’ve been affected by family abuse.
The fundraiser originated in 1992, when Brenda Knight and Mike Hayes brainstormed ideas on ways to create ongoing donations and contributions to the recently established Wheatland Crisis Society. Mirroring a similar initiative in the Hussar and Standard communities where shovels were auctioned off to the highest bidder, the fundraiser proposed a cream can could be displayed by the successful bidder and continue gathering donations, while providing the host with bragging rights. As of January 2018, more than $100,000 has been raised for the shelter’s planned programs, services and operations, to date. None of the funds are allocated to wages.
According to Carly Cole, public educator with the Wheatland Crisis Society, the fundraiser used to be auctioned off for thousands of dollars to be housed with one business for a whole year. This is the second year the can has made its way throughout the community month to month.
With the new format, the initiative raised $7,800 last year and has already surpassed that amount thus far.
“A little bit can go a long way,” said Cole. “It’s been incredible this year. We’ve had a lot of support. This year we made it into a bit of a friendly competition amongst local businesses. The local business who at the end of this travelling year, which will be October, who has raised the most funds will receive tickets to our next fundraising event, special recognition at our next fundraising event and online, and then best of all, bragging rights.”
Home Hardware, the Standard One Stop Shoe Shop, Chinook Financial, Gregory, Harriman & Associates, Getz, Collins & Associates, the Town of Strathmore, Rocking Horse Industries and Murray Chrysler have also been in possession of the can this year.
Tickets for the cedar loveseat and outdoor living package are $2 each or $5 for three tickets and can be purchased at Assist Business Services, where the prize is on display, or by contacting a member of the REPs Group Remax First. The cream can will be handed off to CIR Realty for the month of October.
The society is already accepting hosts for the cream can in 2019. Those interested can find more details on their website at www.strathmoreshelter.com or by contacting Cole at 403-934-7218.