INNISFAIL – About two and half years ago Innisfail’s Kristen Spatz was organizing a Daddy-Daughter Dance to raise money for the town’s underprivileged.
But the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the event. There had to be a new plan, and plenty of patience as provincially-mandated pandemic restrictions remained in force for the next two years.
“We decided not to do the Daddy-Daughter Dance because there was a lot of interest with moms wanting to bring their sons or families because there is not many of those around,” said Spatz.
Spatz and her organizers Tyson Thompson and Sheree Wright came up with an even better and more inclusive idea.
There would be a Dinner & Dance Masquerade Ball; a family event that would raise money to help underprivileged kids in the community.
The event is being held in the auditorium of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104 in Innisfail on Saturday, Nov. 26. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. The evening will also feature a silent auction and music from Red Deer’s On the Mark Productions.
Tickets are $40 each. She added enough tickets have been sold so far to fill about 25 tables. There are more still available.
Spatz is also hoping the public will help support the event with silent auction items, door prizes and cash donations.
"I love to plan events and fundraisers to support the great organizations here in town,” said Spatz. “The donations from all the events I've done are very appreciated and always go towards great causes."
Specifically, the funds raised will go to Innisfail’s Helping Hand Fund that has been helping underprivileged kids participate in sports in the community since 1997.
The money for the Helping Hand Fund is raised primarily through the Dean Turnquist Spring Fever Road Hockey Tournament which was held last April after being cancelled in 2021 and 2020 due to COVID restrictions.
Through an application process, the Helping Hand Fund provides grants to offset the cost of team fees and/or equipment for sustained sports programs with qualified instructors for kids under the age of 18 years in and around Innisfail.
Spatz said a representative from the Helping Hand Fund will be making a presentation during the Nov. 26 event.
“I feel like sports are very, very important for youth and if they can't afford it, they're missing out. I never played sports as a child because of that,” said Spatz, who for many years has organized many fundraisers for the community’s vulnerable and disadvantaged. “The Helping Hand Fund is another organization that can help you put your kids in sports, so they are not missing out.
“It keeps your kids busy. It keeps them out of trouble.”
