People from as far as Oyen and Camrose travelled to join the Stettler community for the 50s Dine and Dance event, the Bar Harbour Camp’s (BHC) annual fundraiser on Saturday evening, May 7 at the Stettler Community Hall to raise approximately $44,000 before expenses.
Most people were dressed to go with the theme of the event and participants enjoyed an evening of cocktails and supper, followed by live auction and entertainment by Loose Change.
The event was a success, according to Stettler United Church pastor Jan Richardson.
Organized by BHC fundraising committee, which is a group of about 15 led by Lyle Smith, the event was sold out with over 315 tickets purchased while requests for tickets kept coming in right up to the event.
“The regional draw in addition to everyone from Stettler had a large turn out with many guests from our neighbours at White Sands, and communities from Forestburg, Coronation, Oyen, Camrose and everywhere in between,” said president of BHC Society Ryan Koehli. “Many former campers staff and volunteers were in attendance some dating back to involvement in the 1950s.”
One of the main highlights of the evening was raising funds through live auction.
“The funds are used to send a few kids to the camp who otherwise couldn’t afford it,” said Koehli. “We are also looking at earmarking some spots for kids affected by the fires in Fort McMurray.”
Following supper there was a presentation by Derek Schenk, Forestburg area Grade 12 student who narrated how camp had changed his life and how it continues to touch people he knows.
Schenk, a youth champion and spokesperson for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation in Edmonton said, “Thank you for giving this kid a chance.”
BHC offers youth camping programs open to all kids aged 6-17, with spaces available for the youth of Stettler and surrounding areas.