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Fundraising events running out of time — and money

How many events does it take to run for money to support another program or project in Stettler?

How many events does it take to run for money to support another program or project in Stettler?

This weekend, the community will stage Run Around the Zone to raise funds for Stettler Health Services Foundation.

For the past 30 years, it seemed that the Terry Fox was the only health fundraiser in any community in September.

Now it seems that the fundraiser to battle cancer has taken a bit of a back seat, at least in Stettler.

Then, consider that the Relay For life for the Canadian Cancer Society plans to return next year in September.

Although organizers of all three events are more than satisfied with funds raised, they could definitely do better without the fundraiser fight.

So, if the three events run the same month next year, each event will battle for the same bucks, all for health care.

Yes, it’s great these events and organizations are passionate to support and fund health care to enhance the quality of living in the Stettler region.

Usually, with high fundraising goals, those organizations will likely also suffer or fall short of their goal if they’re chasing the same fundraising dollars in the same time period.

Back in June, the Relay for Life suffered significantly, with many people stating that another first-year fundraiser took the wind out of the sails of the cancer fundraiser.

Despite that, the community Terry Fox Run has virtually died in Stettler in the past few years, like in many other towns, since the school run was introduced several years ago.

When organizations plan major fundraisers, it’s best to schedule them at times of the year when other similar functions are not held.

That gives the fundraising event and the organization a higher profile and the community and donors can focus can commit more funding and support.

Otherwise, all these fundraisers at the same time get lost in the shuffle and they all end up with donations that are just a drop in the bucket.

While a run is healthy, some people might question why it’s the focus of a fundraiser.

Certainly, there is another activity that does not focus on just people who run, to raise money.

Let’s trust the organizers that such means will not be a sole way to raise funds for health care in our community.

Every dollars counts — so let’s keep running up the fundraising to make the Stettler region a healthier community for everyone.

— Froese’n Time