An annual fundraising event for the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre will see some changes in the program to help stimulate donations. The Festival of Peace gala, most recently held in November of last year, is used by the centre as a way to raise funds. Serena Parsons is the Resource Development Coordinator with the centre, says those funds have been decreasing and she has a hunch why.
“When I bring up our comparables, we are noticing our live auctions aren’t bringing in as much money (as they used too).It seems as though we do have amazing things in our auctions but people in this economy aren’t willing to buy those higher end items.”
Parsons says it’s not for lack of support, and one item on previous galas agendas proves that.
“Where we did see an increase, and I think this is indicative to the amazing community we come from, is in cash calls. A cash call is when the auctioneer stands up and asks, for example, ‘Would anyone want to give $100 to pay for groceries for a day?’ That’s really where people want to give because they are there to give, and they’re there to make a difference.”
Parsons says the 2018 gala will see a shake up to help with donations such as the cash calls. The centre also sees support from community functions like Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an event that sees men around the Lakeland wearing high heels and soliciting donations. Bonnyville just recently hosted the event, Cold Lake will be on schedule for the summer.
More information on supporting the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre can be found by clicking here.