Today, the Community Foundation reminds those in our region that the foundation is available to assist charitable organizations through the Immediate Assistance Fund.

“The Immediate Assistance Fund began a year ago to collect donations for those affected by the economic downturn,” said executive director Mike Christie. “And although we made disbursements this spring, we have left the fund open for emergencies such as this.”

Anyone interested in donating money to those left devastated by the recent floods in the region can give to the Immediate Assistance Fund. Money will then be distributed to charitable organizations in the region that are providing assistance in the flood recovery process. In a departure from the foundation’s normal endowed funds, this fund is non-endowed and immediately benefits the community.

“Our grants committee did an amazing job of using the Immediate Assistance Funds available to best benefit local organizations this spring,” said Christie. “We look forward to the chance of helping those most in need again.”

Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations to the fund. Donations can be made at the Community Foundation office located at 430-6th Ave. SE, room 104. Online donations can also be made through the Canada Helps icon on the foundation website, www.mhcf.ca.

For more information, please contact the office at (403) 527-9038.

In tow are Daniel’s girlfriend, Chantal Courcelles and his friend, Eric Foidart who accompanying him on the way and accepting donations wherever possible. To donate, check out Daniel’s website www.dontstopbelieving.ca

Here is what Daniel has to say:

My name is Daniel Cloutier, I’m 21 years old, a 3rd year Business Student living in Winnipeg, Manitoba with a big goal in mind. I am rollerblading across Canada to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. I was inspired to rollerblade across Canada after seeing hockey player, Sheldon Kennedy do it. I’ve chosen this specific cause after losing my Uncle to cancer in 2007 and my Grandmother recently battled kidney cancer. This journey will help raise a lot of money to beat this horrifying disease.

I started this rollerblading adventure May 1st, 2010 from Vancouver, British Columbia and planning on ending it in July in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I am accompanied by my girlfriend, Chantal Courcelles and my good friend, Eric Foidart during this trek. They will be following me with a truck and trailer and collecting the donations for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Our vision for this trek across Canada is to bring everyone together with a common mission of conquering this terrible disease that sadly affects millions of people every day. When everyone gets together, the possibilities are endless! The cures will be achieved!

Gratefully with your help, we will be that much closer to making a difference and curing this disease.

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you so much for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Daniel Cloutier

Daniel can be contacted at dan_raptors15@hotmail.com or through his website at www.dontstopbelieving.ca

Relay For Life 2010

The Relay For Life fundraiser is coming around again for 2010. The fundraiser kicks off on May 28th in Kin Coulee Park. It is a 12 hour event, so you can bet you will not miss it no matter when you show up.

Relay For Life is an opportunity to get together with family and friends to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

You can help make cancer history by being part of the biggest cancer fundraising event in Medicine Hat.

For more information call 403.528.2125 or head on over to their website.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8p7woRyxuU

Please drop off your washed donations to McCoy High School on 8 St NE, Holy Family Parish on Strachan Rd, or 102.1 The Lounge on Dunmore Rd. For more information contact Lance at 403-527-6933 or via email to lance.rosen@mhcbe.ab.ca. The Silent Angels Benchwarmer campaign is proudly supported by the McCoy High School – Silent Angels and your Hometown Radio Station CJCY 102.1 The Lounge! For more information, please your comment/question here.

Santa Claus Fund Online Auction Website

The Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund is having an online auction starting today and finishing on December 16th. I previously posted about their new website and now we have an online auction version of their site as well. It seems like more and more organizations and charitable services in the city are taking the plunge and going digital, sometimes exclusively; however, you still have to come pick up your items at the Medicine Hat News building – in person!

There’s tons of items up for bidding (over 50) by many sponsors all throughout the city. Many local companies and businesses have graciously donated services and inventory to the Santa Claus Fund in hopes of making money for the organization. As many know, the Santa Claus Fund gives back to local needy families and individuals during the Christmas season, but also throughout the whole year. As with any online auction, be weary of those last minute bidders that snatch up your items!

At the end of bidding and if you are the winner of any item(s), you are able to pay via PayPal, or you can pay with cash/debit/credit card in person when you pick up your item(s) at the Medicine Hat News building.

Santa Claus Fund Auction Website

The Medicine Hat Tigers, along with a variety of sponsors, are hosting a Reach for a Cure fundraiser to support the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society. The money raised from this event helps fund leading-edge cancer research that is improving cancer treatments, preventing cancer and saving lives; provide reliable and up-to-date information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment; offer vital community-based support services for people living with cancer and their families; and advocate for healthy public policies.

Click the Support button at the website below to donate! Cash and cheque donations are accepted at the Canadian Cancer Society, Kal Tire, Source For Sports, and Rock 105.3. Each $5.00 donation is another entry into the draw for a variety of prizes including a Tigers Jersey signed by a great mustachioed player — Lanny McDonald.

Every pledge takes everyone one step further in the fight against cancer.If you want to read more about how your donation helps, check out the “Where your money goes” link in the left menu of the “Dusters for Dollars” website.

Visit the website to see who’s participating. They include Tigers players: Bretton Cameron, Dylan Bredo, Dylan Busenius, Thomas Carr, Jace Coyle, Deven Dubyk, Emerson Etem, Joey Frazer, Taylor Gal, Wacey Hamilton, Mark Isherwood, Kale Kessy, Tristan King, Matthew Konan, Tomas Kundratek, Matt MacKay, Scott McKay, Zdenek Okal, Tanner Sohn and Linden Vey. Assistant coach Shaun Clouston, as well as office staff Dave Andjelic and Mike Bortolussi. And many more people!

Please visit the Dusters for Dollars webpage to find out more and to donate!

So if you have the opportunity, head up to the FLC today and get in on the action, you can also enter raffles for items like a Willie Desjardins-Tyler Ennis Canada World Juniors Photo, Ennis Team Canada Jersey, and more. The price for the raffle is 10 for $5 and of course, goes to a good cause.

The operation costs roughly $70,000 a month to operate, and unfortunately the Alberta government does not provide any funding, leaving the helicopter operable solely by the donations of local businesses.

HALO is seeking at least $70,000 per month to stay in operation, otherwise the service may be grounded as early as September, costing lives of patients who would live too far from a hospital to receive care in the event of an emergency.

More information be found on their website at http://medicairsociety.com

Rescue helicopter could be grounded by Tenille Tellman – Medicine Hat News

Hit n' Run Reunion Poster

The Hit N Run Reunion Benefit Dance is being held in honor of Ralph & Shirley Seefried who lost their home to a fire on April 31st, 2009. Unfortunately due to lack of insurance on their home of 40 years and no money to start over, this benefit dance and BBQ is designed to help raise money to assist them in rebuilding their lives.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 29th, 2009 at the Redcliff Rectangle Arena. It will start for the public at 6PM kicking off the BBQ (with open bar). Live music will begin at 6:30PM with performances by Psycho CirKiss (A local Kiss tribute band, amazing name by the way), Whiskey Ridge (country/rock band) and Hit n’ Run, a rock band that played locally in the 1980′s and 1990′s who will be reuniting for this event.

Hit N Run Reunion Benefit Dance Facebook Group

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Tower Junction (TJ’s) Pub when they go on sale Friday, August 14th. Alternatively, although not recommended as this show will sell out, any remaining tickets may be purchased at the door. Tower Junction is also sponsoring this event exclusively.

If you have any questions, please call Len Seefried at (250) 961-9204. Thanks for the submission, Len.

Many events are planned for the day including a bake sale, dunk tank, live local entertainment, Corvette show, three-legged races, gunny sack races, horseshoes, inflatable bouncers, face painting, pedal tractors, barbecue, cotton candy, popcorn, raffles, a silent auction and much more. Dunk tank volunteers include Alderman Jeremy Thompson and several local teachers.

Many local businesses have rallied to support the group’s efforts and have donated high-value raffle prizes and silent auction items including a broom-finished driveway package (up to 500 sq. ft., valued at $3500), a huge assortment of gift baskets, golf and ski packages, hotel packages, children’s items, Saskatchewan Roughrider tickets and more.

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support people have shown for this cause,” said event organizer Bernie Frank. “From the thousands and thousands of dollars worth of donations from local businesses to all the volunteers who have stepped up, we are amazed.”

Funds raised will benefit ‘Hatter Angela Bitz, who has been battling cancer for the last few years. Angela is the mother of two young daughters and has been employed with Brewmaster for nearly 20 years. Although very brave and independent, a group of her friends and family called “Angels for Angela” have rallied around her for emotional and financial support. Bitz’s ongoing monthly IV treatments are only partially covered by Alberta Health Care and her private insurer, and the group is trying to raise funds to assist in this high out-of-pocket expense.

Others wishing to donate may do so via accounts that have been set up at both Redi Recycling and Shamrock Bottle Depot for bottle return donations. An account for Angela Bitz/Angels for Angela has also been set up at Royal Bank’s Crestwood branch on 13th Avenue.

Alternate arrangements will be made in case of inclement weather and media notified immediately.