Local councillor gives back

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore Coun. Richard Wegener is once again putting his own money behind a local cause through his annual Community Charity Challenge, this year choosing the Strathmore Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 10 as the beneficiary.

Now in its fifth year, the challenge encourages residents to donate to a selected community organization, with Wegener personally matching donations up to $1,000.

“I’ve been fortunate with my time on council, and I figured I would look at giving back to some of the organizations within the community that help others out,” Coun. Wegener said. “The big one this year happens to be the Legion’s 100th anniversary. So, I wanted to have them as a beneficiary. This is my fifth (challenge) that I’ve been doing and over the past four years, I’ve probably raised close to $10,000.”

Wegener stressed the challenge is something he organizes personally and is not a Town of Strathmore initiative. 

Over the previous four years, Wegener has selected organizations including the Strathmore Overnight Shelter, Wheatland County Food Bank, the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society and Wheatland Housing Management Body.

Rather than taking applications for the challenge, Wegener said he tends to choose organizations that have a personal connection or stand out because of the work they do locally.

“I look at ones that are memorable to me or mean something to me, I guess,” he said.

The Legion stood out this year not only because of its anniversary, but also because of Wegener’s interactions with the organization during his time on council.

“We’ve done a lot of stuff with the Legion. We’ve been invited to some of their events,” he said. “And the legions have always been a good organization throughout the year. So, I think making this year, being their 100th, was just something that made it a little more … special, just to try and help them out a little bit.”

Strathmore Legion Branch No. 10 president Donovan Arnaud said learning the branch had been chosen came as welcome news during an already significant year.

“Oh, I was delighted and (we’re) honoured,” Arnaud said. “It’s our 100th anniversary. It’s a very unique year. We’re all very honoured to be a part of that. And so, when he came forward with this very generous offering to support our branch and our program, we are naturally very, very honoured.”

Wegener typically runs the Community Charity Challenge for approximately one month before arranging a presentation with the selected organization. A final presentation date with the Legion has not yet been determined.

Residents who want to contribute as part of the challenge can make their donation directly to the Strathmore Legion (legion10@shaw.ca) with Wegener planning to match eligible donations up to the $1,000 limit. Wegener said updates on the challenge and eventual presentation will also be posted through his social media accounts.

For Arnaud, the challenge is another example of the support the Legion continues to receive from Strathmore residents.

“I just want to echo again one last time that we really appreciate Richard’s very generous initiative here, and we appreciate the support we get from so many people in Strathmore, in the community at large,” he said.

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on the Legion website for more information on the 100th celebration on Oct 3.