The Stettler branch of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre (CAPCC) held its annual fundraising gala on April 20.
With the assistance of the staff from Halkirk’s Circle Square Ranch, a supper began around 6 p.m. before the program started at 7 p.m.
Before, during, and after supper, until around 7:45 p.m., a silent auction was run with many great items up for grabs.
According to Crystal Stewart, the director of the Stettler CAPCC, the total value of the silent auction items donated by local businesses was over $6,000.
In addition to the silent auction items, around a dozen items were auctioned off in a live auction, with one of the higher items, a trail ride a supper for 12 offered by Circle Square Ranch, going for $2,100.
Other live auction items included a Guy LaFleur jersey, a couple of different 45-minute plane rides and a variety of home baking.
“The funding allows us to continue operating and offer services as we are completely privately funded, receiving no government funding,” said Stewart, in an email statement.
“The support allows us to continue extending services to our community, and beyond the County of Stettler. We couldn’t operate without the support and are very grateful!”
Reeve Larry Clarke brought greetings from Stettler County and Brad Wohlgemuth, a friend of the CAPCC, on behalf of Mayor Sean Nolls.
The theme for the 2023 gala was “moments in time.”
”Time is the longest distance between two places,” said Stewart.
“In one day, one moment, everything can change … the impacts can have a ripple effect.”
The CAPCC offers a variety of services throughout all of its branches in the region. While the centre is not a medical clinic, it does offer pregnancy tests as well as a variety of other supports for prospective parents.
Thanks to being part of the CAPCC, the Stettler branch even has access to the 11-bed maternity home for new moms for women in tenuous or abusive situations.
“This type of work has a way of weaving itself into your life,” said Stewart, opening the program.
“The topics might be hard for some … you’re among friends here tonight.”
All the supports offered by the CAPCC are provided through a faith-based lens and the centre doesn’t receive much, if anything, in the way of government support; the majority of funding used for its operations is raised through fundraising initiatives such as the gala, private donors, and church offerings.
After the auctions closed, a pair of open and raw client stories were shared highlighting the impacts that the CAPCC makes on the communities it serves.
According to Stewart, some outstanding cheques are still coming in, but the total funds raised for the 2023 gala are around $25,000.
