From poker games to garage sales, the Innisfail Goddess Club has kept its hands full with its fundraising activities.
Not bad for a group that started out as a social drinking club.
“If we're going to get together for a couple drinks we might as well do something,” said goddess Marci Bishop, explaining the rationale behind the charity motivation. “I'm looking forward to raising as much money as possible for the community again.”
On Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. the Goddess Club will hold a Halloween party at the Super 8 Route 2 bar. The entrance price is a minimum $20 donation.
“It's going to be karaoke,” she said. “Everyone will just dress up with their best costume.”
For those who do make the effort to show up in top Halloween form there will be prizes for best costume, best couple and most original costume. Prizes include a 32-in. flat screen television, an e-reader and a 26 oz. bottle of the Dan Aykroyd-endorsed Crystal Head Vodka.
As fun as the event will be, for Bishop the importance of fundraising for the Goddesses' chosen charities - the Christmas Bureau, the Innisfail Food Bank and RCMP Victim Services - runs much deeper.
On Feb. 7, 2010, her three-month-old baby Kaden died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Following the police came victim services members who played a vital role in helping her through the trauma of the tragedy.
“It was really important to me to give back to victim services because they helped me so much,” she said. “They make sure you're okay. There are all kinds of people you can talk to. They help get you through it.”
A signed and autographed Lanny McDonald stick will also be raffled at the event. Tickets can be purchased in advance for those who are not able to attend the Halloween party.
One of the more unique fundraisers the Goddesses undertook this year was a rib-off competition. The tasty initiative involved a $20 donation, or a donation of the ribs themselves, and 10 judges.
“You always have the boys sitting around saying, ‘Oh I could cook better ribs,'” she said. This was their opportunity to find out once and for all.
The rib-off brought in $1,020. The group hopes to raise $3,000 overall.
