Wolf Creek Youth Foundation’s first-ever online auction, Santa’s Bids for Kids, held Nov. 19 to 24, was a success.
The community response with donated items and participation was “overwhelming,” said executive director Beth Reitz.
The auction itself brought in $15,000 and monetary donations are still being accepted. The goal for Santa’s Bids for Kids was to raise $25,000 and once donations have finished coming in, Reitz expects the total will be close to $20,000.
Reitz says as a first-time event, they weren’t sure what to expect and they’re “pretty impressed by what happened.”
She says the auction was a fun way during this time for people to get involved and support local youth programs while bidding from home.
The response from local businesses was good with 80 businesses or organizations donating from Ponoka and 38 from Rimbey.
Some of the items donated for the auction included a carriage/sleigh ride date night at Heritage Ranch, a ski package for two to Kimberley, B.C., a WestJet round trip flight for two, and 18 holes of golf at Wolf Creek Golf Resort.
Bidding was very back-and-forth, especially on an Edmonton Oilers jersey and the bigger trips, says Reitz.
As no in-person fundraisers were able to be held this year, the foundation needed to recoup some costs. The Race for Kids and summer camp fundraiser were both cancelled and it’s likely the annual bowl-a-thon won’t be held in the spring.
Wolf Creek Youth Foundation is the agency that oversees the Ponoka Youth Centre, Boys and Girls Clubs of Wolf Creek, Boys and Girls Clubs of Rimbey and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ponoka and Rimbey.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit youth programs in both Ponoka and Rimbey.
Donations will be accepted online at atbcares.benevity.org/community/cause/124-778958710RR0001 until the end of the year.
If you donate through the link, ATB will match your donation by 15 per cent. You can specify when you donate if you would like your contribution to go to Ponoka or Rimbey programs.