Sacred Heart Church 50/50 draw nearing its conclusion
The latest fundraising effort for the Strathmore Sacred Heart Church is drawing to a close and is approaching its overall goal.
The church has been running a 50/50 jackpot over the course of roughly a month, which, according to communications coordinator Evan MacLeod, has been gaining some significant traction since its launch.
“We’re essentially testing the waters with this one,” said MacLeod. “It’s been going really, really well and it has been growing like crazy. Everybody loves a 50/50 and it’s for a great cause.”
It’s the first 50/50 draw that has been put on by the church. The organization is ultimately putting the funds towards remodeling the old IGA building into the new Sacred Heart Church.
The goal was to see $20,000 in the pot for the draw, which of course would mean $10,000 awarded to the winner.
MacLeod was confident to hit the target and as of March 10, there was over $12,000 in the total pot.
According to MacLeod, the Sacred Heart Church has been without a formal place of worship for 18 years and has been hosting mass at the Sacred Heart Collegiate gymnasium instead.
Currently, the ultimate goal is to be operating out of the new church by the end of 2023.
“Of course, there was COVID-19 and many other things that happened throughout the years; however, we’ve needed to get all of our ducks in a row to break ground, get the building and get the plans (together),” said MacLeod. “Our congregation is roughly 160 families, so if you can imagine 160 families for the past 18 years having mass in a gymnasium, isn’t the most ideal situation. However, it does speak to a lot of the strength of our community for sure.”
Other fundraisers for the church include their annual golf tournament, currently promoting a concert at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary, ongoing 50/50 and two silent auction suppers.
The organization has thus far raised roughly $3 million for the project and will need another $7 million to see the renovation to completion.
“It’s a big building – it’s not just the church, which is part of it, (but) there’s also a 200-seat entertainment area with a commercial grade kitchen, stage and all that stuff,” said MacLeod. “I feel like this just revitalizes all of downtown Strathmore and it’ll just kick everything into gear coming out of COVID-19. We need some new activity and new stuff going on.”
The final draw will be made on March 19.