STONEY NAKODA – A four-storey screen will light up the night for a good cause later this month when the Prairie Toyota Dealers Reels on Wheels Tour returns to the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino.
Prairie Toyota Dealers is organizing a drive-in movie fundraiser with Cochrane Toyota, in partnership with Fresh Air Cinema, to show Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon on Saturday (Aug. 14). Tickets are by donation, with all proceeds going to the Iyahrhe Nakoda Food Bank Society.
This will mark the second year Reels on Wheels has hosted the drive-in at Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino and chosen the food bank as the benefiting charity of the event. Ryan Baum, general manager of Cochrane Toyota, said Reels on Wheels started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to raise money and bring awareness to those in need.
“The local Cochrane Food Bank had received quite a few donations [last year] and the overwhelming support of the community had looked after them,” Baum said. “But the food bank in Morley didn’t have the same response.
“This year when we touched based with them again, they were still in dire needs of support, so we chose to support them again."
Garry Tether, co-chairman of the Iyahrhe Nakoda Food Bank Society, said it is always nice to have monetary donations come in from events like this, but it is even more important to raise awareness for the food bank.
“I live in Cochrane, and I believe there’s a lot of people in town who don’t know that there’s a food bank out there,” Tether said. “They also don’t really have a good idea about how difficult the conditions can be out on the reserve.”
The needs of the food bank fluctuate but there were times last year where their client list was much higher than usual.
“There’s always a lot of need here,” Tether said. “But as far as donations go, it’s been quite amazing.
“The local communities— Cochrane, Canmore and Banff have really helped us out."
Tether pointed out many of the local food banks will share donations based on the needs of each location, working together to ensure everyone’s needs are met.
For those that have never been to a drive-in movie, Baum said, it is a great time for families to connect.
“With the busy lives that we find ourselves in, it’s a time to kind of just sit back and enjoy each other’s company,” he said.
Gates open for the event at 7 p.m. and the movie will begin around 9 p.m. Tickets are purchased by donation with a suggestion of $30 per vehicle, but it can be any amount.
Tickets are limited though and can only be purchased from Eventbrite. They will not be available to purchase at the gate.
Attendees can also be entered to win a one-year lease of a 2021 Toyota Tacoma or 2021 RAV4. The winner will be drawn once the Reels on Wheels Tour wraps up at the end of August.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit eventbrite.ca/e/prairie-toyota-dealers-reels-on-wheels-cochranecanmore-ab-raya-tickets-158004617063/.
