Despite treacherous road conditions, the 280 people who attended the Olds Rotary Club's annual Harvest Ball on Nov. 2 managed to raise more cash for the club's projects than last year's event, which brought in $75,000. Mary Turner, the club's president, said a precise tally for the money raised from tickets and auctions at the event held at the Olds College Alumni Centre is not yet known but the money will go towards the establishment of an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence in Olds as well as humanitarian projects in Kenya. During a presentation about the proposed shelter during the ball, it was reported that the Olds RCMP have handled 75 domestic violence files in the community this year. Once opened, the proposed shelter would house between four and six adults at a time, plus their children, and could accommodate 250 people per year. The club also honoured three members of the community who have given back to their town in numerous ways. Julie Calderwood was named citizen of the year, Ruth Hanson was humanitarian of the year and recent Olds High School graduate Ashley Parker was named youth citizen of the year.
Photos by Paul Everest/MVP Staff
