With “Movember” and the Dusters for Dollars well underway through the month of November, the participants this year have just cleared the $8,000 mark (for both on-line and off-line donations). The participants this year are:

• Bob Bourke of Re/Max Medalta Real Estate
• Mike Doll from Chat 94.5 fm
• John Hamill, City of Medicine Hat Alderman
• Kim Johnston, My 96 Morning Man
• Trevor Moore, Magican
• Inspector Glen Motz of the Medicine Hat Police Service
• Poncho Parker, Rock 105.3 Morning Man
• Ian Sharek from Rock 105.3 fm
• Medicine Hat College Rattlers Men’s Basketball Team
• Todd Herter of Sihvon Carter Fisher & Berger Barristers & Solictors

Last year’s participants brought in over $12,000 and the target this year is $15,000. The cause for this is of course is in support of the Canadian Cancer Society (although I’m sure most of you know). To end the Dusters for Dollars event this year, on November 27, 2010 a special ceremony will be held at the Medicine Hat Mall at 1:00PM when the participants will officially lose their ‘staches courtesy of Raine from Mall Hair!

To donate or for more information visit:
http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?team_id=241708&fr_id=6750&pg=team

Run, Walk, Hike or Bike with Team Diabetes across Canada and around the world!!

Learn how you can become a part of a nation-wide group of passionate individuals who are dedicated to supporting the 9 million Canadians living with Diabetes or pre-diabetes. Join Team Diabetes!

Team Diabetes is traveling across Canada and around the world to exciting destinations in 2011. We have an activity and event for all types of interest.

On Thursday, November 25th learn how you can join Team Diabetes, the Canadian Diabetes Association’s national-activity fundraising program, and help raise funds  to support diabetes research, education and advocacy programs, and public programs and services in Alberta. We are having a Team Diabetes Meeting in a webinar-format to allow access to everyone around the province. This web-based program and conference call will allow people to access the information from home or office, anywhere in the province.

What: Team Diabetes Webinar and Conference Call

When: Thursday, November 25th @ 6:00 PM

RSVP: If interested in participating, RSVP to Kristin Andreas at kristin.andreas@diabetes.ca and you will receive all the information needed to participate in the meeting.

Details: After you RSVP, you will be provided with a conference call number, website and participant code and can follow along online as current participants, alumni, and other interested in the program discuss the program. It is a great opportunity for you to ask questions and hear first-hand stories of the Team Diabetes experience

With less than a month to go before some Hatters could be faced with an empty Thanksgiving plate, Medicine Hat alderman and candidate for re-election Jeremy Thompson is hosting a fundraising barbecue on Saturday to benefit the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank.

All Hatters are invited to attend the come-and-go barbecue on Saturday from 12-3 PM in the Medicine Hat Lodge parking area. Cost for a hamburger or hot dog and a drink is $4.00, with proceeds donated to the food bank. Gluten free hamburgers will also be available.

“We are approaching an important time of year for organizations like the food bank,” Thompson said. “I hope that community members will take time to come out to our event on Saturday, lending the food bank some assistance along the way.” THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »

The 5th Annual Bustin’ Loose Race To End Breast Cancer will be held at the Heritage Pavilion in Strathcona Park, beginning at 11:00 a.m. This is a 3 km, 5 km, 10 km fun run/walk event in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (prairies/nwt region). To date this event has raised over $160,000 with generous support of our sponsors and overwhelming community response.

For logistical reasons and to ensure the best possible event participants are asked to PLEASE ENTER EARLY. Participants will be welcomed right up to race time, but there will be a limited number of race packages available and we’re anticipating a pretty great race package in our 5th year! Those who wish to raise pledges are advised to register early even if they plan to continue raising pledges up to race day in order to guarantee their spot in the event. Raising $75.00 in pledges will waive the registration fee

To register for this event visit http://www.bustinloose.ca/ or phone 403-527-5899 for more information.

Prizes:

• Early Bird (Before August 31st, 2010) – $30.00
• After August 31st, 2010 – $40.00
• Last Minute (After October 1st, 2010) – $50.00

Fun for the whole family:

• Live Entertainment
• Homemade Chili & Beverages
• Door Prizes
• Prizes for Best Dressed
• Memory Wall
• Handcrafted Race Awards
• Race Expo
• Beautiful park and play areas
• Real life courage and inspiration for HOPE

Each year, thousands of Canadians are touched by breast cancer. It not only impacts the individuals living with the disease, but their families, friends and loved ones as well. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is working to create a future without breast cancer – funding some of the most-relevant breast cancer research programs in the country.

With your help, we can create a future without breast cancer.

Online registration and online pledging options are available.

For more information, please contact Shelley Acheson at 403-527-5899 or
slacheson@shaw.ca.

Website:website: http://www.bustinloose.ca/

On June 23, 2010 the Community Foundation announced the Flood Relief 2010 Fund, in support of those affected by the devastating flooding in Medicine Hat, Irvine and Cypress County. Since then the outpouring of community support from individuals, families and businesses has been tremendous.

Most recently the local accounting firm of Johnston Morrison Hunter & Co LLP presented a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to directly support those affected by the flood. This brings the total amount of the fund to nearly $45,000. “JMH is and always has been very involved in our community in our 94 years in Medicine Hat and area. Like many other Hatters, our staff and partners were looking for a way to create an impact that would benefit the most people and we know that the Community Foundation has the capability to ensure this will happen,” says partner Kelly Byers.

Community Foundation executive director Mike Christie highlighted: “We are not a charity that makes knee jerk decisions, we carefully assess what the needs are and how we can best meet those needs with the funds we have available. The municipalities, the Canadian Red Cross and numerous other agencies dealt with the immediate needs, the Disaster Recovery Program is the entity that should provide the bulk of the recovery program and the purpose of the Community Foundation’s funds is to support the medium and long term effects, which can be overlooked. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »

Sixteen years ago, the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta proudly made its inaugural grant, one of assistance to the City of Medicine Hat after 1995’s devastating flooding.

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.”

THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »

Daniel Cloutier is a 21 year old from Winnipeg that has a dream: Don’t Stop Believing The dream is to raise as much money as possible to beat Cancer, and to do this, he is rollerblading across Canada. Daniel is due to pass through Medicine Hat on the evening of Sunday, May 16th.

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.

Lots of people think there aren’t many homeless people in Medicine Hat; however, the sad truth is that there are a lot of people in distress, especially with the recession. One place that is in need of winter clothing is the Hope Street Church. The McCoy High School – Silent Angels social justice team needs your help with their Benchwarmer campaign! They are collecting clean, new or slightly used winter coats, toques, mittens & new socks, etc. until January 15th, 2010.

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