Project H.O.P.E. gala planning underway

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

Project H.O.P.E. is gearing up to host its annual fundraiser gala this year, marking its 25th anniversary.
According to Corinne Ball, chair of project H.O.P.E., the annual gala is the group’s main fundraiser of the year, and this year is no exception.
“We do one major fundraiser a year,” she said. “Our operating budget is around $130,000 per year, so that’s the money we have to come up with every year to pay our therapists to continue to provide the therapies.”
Project H.O.P.E. (Holistic Opportunities Provided in Education) is a community-based program that provides therapy to children diagnosed with severe physical, communication, cognitive self-help, social-emotional and/or behavioural challenges including Down Syndrome, Autism, Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and numerous other conditions. A non-profit organization, Project H.O.P.E. operates in various schools within the Golden Hills School Division, providing music, art and adapted physical education therapy to children ages 3-18 years with special needs. The volunteer organization is led by a board which fundraises all the money used to meet the therapeutic needs of the children.
Twenty-five years ago, the H.O.P.E. gala was a smaller event and quite formal in its delivery. Ball said they had the Calgary Fiddlers come out to play in those early years, but in recent years, the gala has offered a more diverse offering in entertainment.
This year, the evening starts with entertainment between 5 and 6 p.m. during the cocktail hour, with musicians Megan Konschuh and Denis Dufresne. During the dinner hour between 6 and 7 p.m., guests will be entertained by a trio of local musicians.
“Following dinner, we have the silent and live auction events, a 50-50 draw and other things in which people can participate to donate a bit of money and have some fun,” said Ball. “Then by about 10 p.m., local musician Chris Rawlyck and a trio of musicians will play during the dance portion of the night.”
The organization hopes to sell out again, with 300 tickets up for grabs.
Sponsorship packages are available to help support the organization. For more information about the gala, sponsorships and tickets, contact Ball at 403-807-2965 or Westmount School at 403-934-3041.
“This gala fundraiser is key for us, it’s where the bulk of our operating budget comes from,” added Ball. “We really have to make those funds go a long way.”