A committed set of volunteers are hosting a fundraising banquet March 7th to launch the journey of extending Red Deer’s Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre’s services to Stettler.
The banquet, which will include a catered meal, live and silent auctions and entertainment, will be held at the Stettler Community Hall. Tickets are $35 each and are available at Wells Furniture or Today’s Sweet Cakery.
“I’ve been having the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre come down for several years, and each time I’ve said, wouldn’t it be great to have an office here in Stettler,” said Pastor Ross Helgeton, adding that a formational meeting was held here in town last spring to help gauge interest.
“We think there is a need here based on the size of the town,” he said.
About 35 showed up to that initial meeting, which showed strong promise to Red Deer officials including Anne Waddell, the Centre’s executive director.
“At the time, although I had promised myself to not go on any more boards or take anything else on, I said to Anne, are you looking for someone to liaise between Red Deer and Stettler?
“She said yes, so I became a board member,” he explained.
“Now a committee has been formed which is just for this event on March 7th, and the goal is to raise $60,000,” he said.
The Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre has been serving Red Deer and area since 1988.
Staff and volunteers provide compassionate support and education for individuals and families impacted by unexpected pregnancy and its effects.
Programs and services are offered free of charge, they are confidential and they are also offered in a safe and non-judgmental environment regardless of age, gender, race or religion.
Currently, there are also offices in Olds and Rocky Mountain House.
“When we achieve our goal in fundraising, we will look for office space and a part-time person who would either have or need to take the training to do the job,” he said.
“That would be the part that I’ll be more concerned about than anything,” he said. “To find the right person is really important - someone firm enough to state the case (reflecting the values of the CAPCC) while also being diplomatic, empathetic and compassionate enough to really care,” he said.
“So I’m pleased it’s coming together, and the committee is quite exuberant. They are working hard at it,” he said.
In the meantime, organizers are also suggesting folks purchase tickets for a table of eight, collect any donations from their guests at the table and hand them in at the end of the evening.
Also, anyone who would like to donate a silent or live auction item is encouraged to do so.
“We are looking for individuals and businesses to donate items towards the auction. Businesses or individuals donating items to the auction will also receive recognition on the bid sheet beside the item and in the event program.”