Town councillor launches charity challenge
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Town of Strathmore’s Coun. Richard Wegener is hosting his third annual charity challenge, this year being in support of the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society.
Similar to the previous two years of the challenge, Wegener has committed to matching the first $1,000 of donations made to the subject nonprofit organization over the course of the month-long challenge.
“I feel like I am lucky to have my job on council and wanted to give back to the different charities around town,” he said. “I figure if I host a charity challenge each year, I can bring awareness to these different charities and it is a way that I can give back to the community that has given me so much.”
Coun. Wegener explained his reasons for selecting the Hospice Society are largely of a personal nature. He currently holds a seat as part of the Wheatland Housing Management Body, which is currently aiming to get a new lodge built in conjunction with the Hospice Society.
Additionally, he said his mother recently passed away while in palliative care at the Strathmore hospital.
“Knowing that and the care she got there, I wanted to relate that to the hospice care. They look after what they call (people’s) end of life journey,” he said. “My mom was treated so well at the hospital in palliative care, and for me it is just a next step to hospice.”
This year’s challenge will run from April 1, until May 5, coinciding with the date of the Hospice Society’s Hype for Hospice and Fire Truck Pull event.
Coun. Wegener said he has been excited and impressed by the response to the charity challenge from the local community over the past two years, both times during which, the $1,000 goal was exceeded.
“The first year, I did it for the overnight shelter and I think along with my donation, we raised close to $3,000 in the month. Last year was the food bank and we raised quite a bit of money – it was just hard to get an accurate tally on that because of the online donations and everything,” he said. “I think the community is behind it; I always try to do something that is a worthwhile cause for both people in the town, but also in the county – people who need these services.”
To donate online, those who are interested are able to do so at www.wheatlandhospice.ca through the GoFundMe link. Those who donate are asked to email or text Coun. Wegener (403-325-5080, rwegener@telus.net) to specify how much they donated for the final tally.
He added because the donations are going to a nonprofit organization, donors will be able to claim a receipt for the purposes of their taxes.