Raising funds ‘fore’ a good cause
By Melissa Piche Times Contributor
The second annual fundraising golf tournament for the Wheatland County Food Bank (WCFB) and the Strathmore and Wheatland County Christmas Hamper Society (SWCCHS) will be held at the Strathmore Golf Club on June 22.
Fundraising Coordinator with the SWCCHS, Lynn Thurston, says that the event will be a wonderful way for people to help raise funds for some very important nonprofit organizations right here in Strathmore.
“We never turn sponsorship down, believe me,” said Thurston. “We’re just trying to get the word out there.”
Thurston says that on top of team registrations, they are always looking for sponsors. Last year’s event raised $6,000 each for the WCFB and the SWCCHS.
Last year the event had 32 registered teams and they are hoping for the same.
Mayor Pat Fule will also be attending the event and participating in a friendly local competition, while Boston Pizza will be sponsoring a food hole. She also said there will be a dinner after the tournament for registrants along with prizes and a silent auction.
Lynette Aschenbrenner, executive director of the Wheatland County Food Bank, said “It’s a great way to raise some money for both of our organizations.”
Aschenbrenner explains that food insecurity happens all year long and raising money is an integral part to keeping the organization running.
“I’d like to continue to raise awareness of food insecurity in our community. It’s something that exists all year round,” she said. “All of our funds go into our operating account. We have to buy food, keep the lights on, to be able to have a building to provide stuff for the community.”
Aschenbrenner said that having events like the golf tournament is a fun way to reach members of the community.
On top of the importance of the message, there is also a fun aspect.
“It’s nice to be able to have some fun with our donors and supporters,” she said. “We don’t always get to see people face to face so it’s nice to have a good, fun afternoon.”
Mayor Pat Fule will be participating in the golf tournament where he will be set up at the 14th hole.
“I’ll be there with Natalie Johnstone of 104.5 More Country. It’s a pretty cool set up. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for the golfers,” said Fule. “Natalie is going to have some little prizes and stuff to try to get people to take her shot, so that should be fun. Maybe I’ll have to have a couple prizes too. This is the first time I’ll be involved in this and I think it’s a good event to raise money for the Wheatland County Foodbank as well as the Christmas Hamper Society.”
Fule is aware of how important it is to raise money for nonprofit right here in Strathmore.
“I think it’s a great way to raise money for these two worthy groups,” he said. “I know the Wheatland County Food Bank is always in need of food and they do so much to service the people who are in vulnerable situations and help them to have food that can be used to help them stay healthy and safe and take care of their families.”
Fule has seen the food insecurity issues himself.
“I’ve seen firsthand the demand for food at the Wheatland County Food Bank because for the last year I’ve been volunteering once a week. I help bag the WAM bags.”
WAM is an acronym for Weekends and More, which is a take home bag of food for identified school-aged children, elementary to senior high, to take home over the weekends.
“I’ve seen the number of WAM bags increase strongly,” Fule emphasizes. “There are a lot of people making use of the food bank so I think this is a really worthy cause. And we all know that the Christmas Hamper Society does so much to help people who are in struggling situations have a nice Christmas and their families can be looked after.”
People are reminded to sign up as a team of four, no individual registrants. Deadline for registration is June1. If you would like more information, you can send an email (info@wheatlandfoodbank.com).