The Lloydminster Kiwanis Club is trying to fill the fundraising void left by the COVID-19 pandemic, so they can continue helping kids in the community.
The club is trying to raise $10,000, which will go back into their social programs and service projects. The winner will also recieve $10,000 if they sell out. Lloydminster Kiwanis Club Member Angie Jarrett says they went with a 50/50 because it will allow them to fundraise while following the public health orders.
“It’s definitely the main fundraiser we have going on. I’m not sure what it’s going to look like in the fall if we’ll be able to do our Wine Survivor, that kind of thing. So we’re really banking on the 50/50 draw for this.”
The Kiwanis Club has three focuses for this fundraiser, which they’re hoping to boost. The first is Terrific Kids, which provides schools with certificates to recognize students who have shown good values, high grades or a meeting of goals or achievements.
“It’s just a good way to boost self-esteem with kids, who might not be recognized otherwise,” Jarret explains.
They also put on the Festival of Lights at Kiwanis Park in an attempt to spark some holiday wonder for kids and families. Their signature event is the Santa Project, which provides goodie bags and a meeting with Santa for pre-kindergarten to second grade aged kids. The organization has been doing this project since 1984 and gives kids goodie bags full of small toys and treats.
The group gives away around 2,000 bags per holiday season, and Jarrett says this fundraiser will go a long way towards helping kids who may not receive presents of their own.
“Every year we get heartfelt messages from teachers, from children, from families, on how special it was we take the time to recognize these kids, and do these things for the community and for the kids.”
Kiwanis Club also gives out scholarships to students and puts on the yearly Kiwanis Music Festival. They have 4,000 tickets for sale, at five dollars each. Tickets can be obtained through e-Transfer, and people can call or text 780-214-1804 to get started or reach out via email.