Success in these hard times can be a difficult achievement.
The Ponoka Kinsmen and Kinette Club’s fifth annual fundraising dinner and auction wasn’t immune to the economic hardship to hit the province, but the event was still termed a success by the organization. The event, held on Saturday, April 16 at the Kinsmen Community Centre, brought together donated items for a live and silent auction along with a catered dinner for those in attendance.
“We’ve always had good community support,” said Kinsmen president Ken Groot, “and given the economic situation facing the community and the province, anything we raise will work.”
Groot added they were hoping to bring in about $25,000 again this year, an amount what they have normally raised. Last year was an exceptional year, where the regular dinner/auction brought in around $32,000 with another $18,000 taken in through the special Facebook campaign.
“We target the business community and hope they are able to come out and spend some money,” Groot stated.
“This year, there was a good turnout and most of the business people that are usually here were out, so I’m happy with how things went with the event.”
Whatever the group raises goes straight back into the community for the benefit of everyone, with the majority of the money from this year going to continuing work on the toboggan hill, completing the parking lot at the site, putting up some signage for the public and beginning the process of constructing a BMX bike track at the facility.