Lakewood of Strathmore brings back community event and food drive

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lakewood’s 50K Big Roll returned, July 5, to offer a new Strathmore homeowner a chance at $50,000 for their new home, as well as to raise donations for the Wheatland County Food Bank.

Scott Silva, director of sales and marketing for Lakewood of Strathmore, explained the event, aiming to be family friendly, also featured activities such as face painting, a car show with the Strathmore Fun Runners, pickleball, and cornhole, among several others. 

“It has been a great chance to work with the local vendors … of course, we are doing it all in good support of our local Wheatland Food Bank,” he said. “At least once a year, we like to do a food drive. The last one we did was at Christmas last year; I think we delivered just over 550 kilograms, so we were very happy about that; and this year, we are doing it this summer to see if we can get some donations brought out from all of our lovely residents.”

The 50K Big Roll was initiated three years ago, which presented an opportunity for new homeowners to win upgrades for their newly constructed homes. During the inaugural year, a contestant successfully claimed a $50,000 prize. 

Last year, none were successful. This time around, Silva added, several new homeowners who will be moving into Lakewood in the coming weeks, expressed eagerness for the opportunity.

“The event is centered around the giveaway, but with everything that we do in Lakewood, we want to have it for a community-based non-profit, and so that is why we are working with the food bank again and getting this food drive together,” he said. “We are going to be planning this one every year, and next year we are going to look at getting it up to $100,000. This year will probably be our last year at $50,000, and next year we are going to push it.”

As the team grows the event on an annual basis, Silva explained the goal is to keep making it bigger and bolder, and maintain an expanding community excitement. 

Local vendors participating in the event include Baldwin BBQ, Origin, and Miss Max Face Painting. 

The Wheatland County Food Bank keeps an active list of their urgently needed items on their website. These currently include canned meat, soup and fish, juice, granola bars, snacks, and personal hygiene products, among others. 

For those who were unable to attend the 50K Big Roll but still wish to donate, Wheatland County Food Bank’s drop off location operates Wednesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or by appointment.