BOW VALLEY – Looking to shake up your weekend plans?
The Banff Canmore Community Foundation is hopeful to entice Bow Valley residents to join the virtual Stay At Home Gala, where funds raised from local areas stay in the community.
“Uniting people from all over our community, region and our beautiful country, this one-night event aims to strengthen community efforts to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 virus,” Bill Fisher, Canmore Community Found executive director wrote in a statement.
“This is an opportunity to raise some funds for COVID-19 emergency grants in the Bow Valley and sit back and enjoy an evening of song, celebration and inspiring words from across Canada and closer to home in Alberta.”
Hosting an evening with speakers from all walks of life, the event organizers promote the event as one with inspiring stories and uplifting music and entertainment.
The gala will be provincial-wide, but Fisher explained the Calgary Foundation will accept donations, provide tax receipt and review the postal codes from every donation/ticket purchased afterwards to allocate those funds to the closest community foundation, geographically.
“That means, if someone from Canmore buys a ticket to enjoy the Stay at Home Gala Edmonton, they will ensure that purchase is directed to the Banff Canmore Community Foundation,” Fisher explained.
Monies will go to the new coordinated fund that was announced last month when the Banff Canmore Community Foundation, the Canmore Rotary Club Charitable Foundation and the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation teamed up to launch emergency grants.
“We know there will be overlapping needs across the valley, and it makes sense that they are addressed jointly," said Cathy Geisler, executive director of the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation. "From a solutions standpoint, to a resource standpoint, to a funding standpoint – the dollars will stretch further if we work together.”
The focus of the emergency funding to ensure Bow Valley residents are fed, sheltered, safe and connected.
“All three foundations are receiving requests for funding from a variety of organizations and we are confident that by working together, we can coordinate our response and reduce the burden on groups having to prepare multiple grant applications,” Fisher said in a previous statement.
Now Fisher is asking those interested to participate in social distancing at its finest, as the event will have the familiar elements of speakers, entertainment and musicians. Organizers are also encouraging attendees to call their favourite restaurant for contactless delivery while dining their best plaid shirt and jeans to support local members who are impacted by COVID-19.
The Stay At Home Gala is happening on May 2 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25 for individuals.
“So enjoy," Fisher said. "Put your feet up, relax, sip, savour, and so easily make one of the most needed positive impacts on our Bow Valley community."
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to https://trellis.org/stay-at-home-gala-edmonton.
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