The 67th annual Carstairs Community Chest charity drive was a great success in 2019, raising $76,527.
It was a surprising year since board members predicted donations would be down because of the economy. However, previous records were exceeded by $6,575.
The board was not only pleased but encouraged by the amazing generosity of Carstairs and area residents in tough times for many residents.
The Community Chest board will disburse $7,000 to each charity at 3 p.m.on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Town of Carstairs administration office.
A representative from each charity is asked to come to receive their cheque. The public is invited to see and visit with those they support.
Nine of the charities are local and mainly volunteer driven. There will still be generous funds left for local fire disasters as immediate cash aid, which is a bylaw of Community Chest.
In all, 65 volunteer canvassers worked diligently to knock on all the doors in town and rural areas, but a shortage of canvassers left a few areas undone. More canvassers are sought for next year’s annual charity drive. Several senior canvassers wish to retire. Call a board member if you can help.
The faithful canvassers enjoy chatting with their regular donors from their own street or area.
In town, the most difficult part of canvassing is finding people not home or not answering their door – a “no thank you” would be appreciated.
Canvassers try two or three times to find residents home. However, donations in town were increased considerably from previous years.
A new method of donation helped. Those without cash or cheques on hand could go online to do a direct deposit by e-transfer to [email protected].
The success of this year’s charity drive was due to a legion of volunteers.
Five campaign managers organized canvassers. President Katie Harder managed the east rural area and secretary Vicky Penner did the west area. The southwest part of town was managed by Don James and Billie Jeges received canvasser returns for the north half of town while Renny Walker received them for the southeast part of town.
Other volunteer board members, most of whom also canvassed, are Carol Molnar as treasurer, Marilyn Kary, Don Speers, Anne Strilchuk, Kim Tribble and Pat Van Tetering. Al Molnar and Bob Clark canvassed businesses. Interested people are welcome at the next board meeting -- the annual one -- on Feb. 4, 2020 at the Town of Carstairs administration office.
The local charities receiving the 2019 donations are: Hugh Sutherland School breakfast program, Mountain View Food Bank, Chinook Arch Victim’s Services Society, Rosebud Health Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Mountain View Society, Horizon School, Mountain View Emergency Shelter, Mount View Special Riding Assoc., and the local branch of Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre. Calgary-based organizations are Salvation Army and STARS. The elementary school toast program is being supported as needed.
These local recipient charities express much appreciation for the Community Chest funds. It saves them from going to residents and businesses for donations.
Vicky Penner is Carstairs Community Chest’s secretary.
