ESTEVAN - Creighton Lodge manager Shelly Veroba is marvelling at the support shown for this year's fundraiser, saying it's the best ever.
The annual benefit was held May 26 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre, attracting approximately 450 people, which Veroba said was a record. Supporters dined on a meal catered by Spilchuk Meats, placed bids on live and silent auctions, and danced and sang along with the music of Moose Jaw group The Uncoolas. Proceeds will be contributed to the lodge's kitchen expansion project.
Since their fundraising drive started approximately three months ago, Veroba said it has raised nearly $200,000. Included in that total is the support of the RM of Browning, which recently stepped forward with a total donation of $75,000 over three years, while Ray and Doris Frehlick donated $5,000.
As for the night of the fundraiser, $87,000 was raised, not including ticket sales. Nine event sponsors each paid $2,500.
A silent auction was new for this year; the 54 items brought in $8,000. The live auction generated $52,150. During the auction, Estevan Royal Canadian Legion branch president Jim (Frosty) Forrest made a $5,000 donation, as did Brad Wilhelm from Frame-Tech Systems.
"At the event, we had a total of $14,100 come in just in donations," said Veroba.
The Uncoolas provided "excellent" entertainment, Veroba said. They had the crowd dancing from the moment they started playing. People ranged in age from 13-85, and Veroba noted people of all ages were on the dance floor.
Veroba noted the Creighton Lodge Trust Committee is filled with new people: Paul Deren, Kerri Abraham, Garry Malaryk, Kevin Kobitz, and John and Kathy McKelkie. They provided a lot of help with the fundraiser, and lodge maintenance employee Gord Nelson and a couple of friends did heavy lifting. Some members of the Outram-Madigan 4-H Club showed up to help. Bee-Line Taxi supplied taxi rides through a safe ride home program.
Veroba said the kitchen expansion is on schedule to be completed by Nov. 1. The dirt has been dug, the pilings have gone in and cement work is happening around the sides. B&S Construction of Estevan was awarded the project and Kreate Architecture and Design from Regina are the project managers.
"They are coming in every two weeks, they're meeting with B&S and they're making sure everything stays [on schedule], as long as weather permits."
The kitchen expansion has a projected cost of $1.5 million. Thanks to the support shown at the fundraiser, the lodge is closing in on having what they need.
"This will deplete our trust fund, which is okay, because that's why we've been raising the money. We're going to have this kitchen built without having any type of debt associated with it."
One other fundraiser is in the works. The Prairie Prime Junior Stock Club has picked Creighton Lodge as their charity this year for their fundraising steer sale. Last year it supported the campaign to bring an MRI unit to St. Joseph's Hospital.
Veroba said the community has showed a desire to ensure the seniors in Estevan will have more access and choices for meals through the kitchen expansion. The lodge has a wait list of 250 people, and once the work is finished, they can have the option to have food brought to them and remain in their homes longer.
