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The Government of Alberta has issued a Certificate of Incorporation under the Societies Act for the Ponoka Arts, Recreation & Cultural Society (PARCS).
Justin Kelly, PARCS chairperson, announced the news last week. He says the mission of this society is to provide capital funding solutions to inspire the enjoyment of our arts, recreational and cultural amenities.
PARCS was initially established as a fundraising arm of the Town of Ponoka Recreation Advisory Committee. The incorporation enables PARCS to operate as a stand-alone entity at arm’s length from the Town of Ponoka.
Obtaining society status will ensure that all funds raised by PARCS will remain under the sole control of PARCS, for the specific purpose of building or renovating future arts, cultural and recreational facilities in the town and county of Ponoka.
PARCS has now embarked on an application to the federal government to obtain charitable status, thus enabling the society to issue tax receipts for qualifying fundraising, philanthropy or benevolent donations.
PARCS has recently confirmed it will host the second annual St. Paddy’s Day Cabaret at the Stagecoach Saloon on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
Curious George, dubbed as Calgary’s favourite band, will return as entertainment for the event. Kelly indicates this extremely popular band entertained at last year’s cabaret and creates an energetic atmosphere for a wide demographic. The first eight tickets have been donated for auction to the Ponoka Festival of Trees gala event on Nov. 16 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre.
PARCS was the beneficiary group at the 2017 edition of the ATB Roundup during the Ponoka Stampede and Kelly stated that PARCS has already raised close to $50,000 since forming only last year. PARCS is working on several fundraising events for 2018 and is looking forward to working with other service groups in the community for the good of Ponoka.
Mayor Rick Bonnett said PARCS is a strong component of demonstrating to upper levels of government that the community is behind the initiative of fundraising, which helps influence for granting from senior government sources.