Festival of Wreaths auction items (wreaths) can be viewed at the Lacombe Memorial Centre, as seen here. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

bid now to support youth

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Festival of Wreaths auction back for 2025

Dec 4, 2025 | 10:49 AM

For a 15th year, the Lacombe and District chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is once again putting on the Festival of Wreaths this holiday season.

The Festival of Wreaths features an online auction by which people can bid on beautifully handcrafted holiday wreaths, in support of BBBS. Each of the 53 wreaths are sponsored by a local business, including one by rdnewsNOW, 106.7 REWIND Radio, and BIG 105.

The auction aims to raise $10,000 to support the organization’s programming, says Jen Harty, community engagement director.

The three key areas they offer programming in include community-based one-to-one mentoring with volunteer mentors who spend quality time with mentees for 6-8 hours monthly.

Then there’s the in-school one-to-one mentoring, where teen and adult mentors meet during school hours; finally, they offer group mentoring through programs like Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, Kids & Kops, and Game On.

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“Mentoring not only makes an impact on the mentee. Coming from the mentor perspective, which I did for four years, it also has an impact on that person. Both push one another outside of their comfort zone, and there a meaningful connection is built,” says Harty.

“I got to see a lot of growth in my mentee; just seeing that confidence and resiliency build over time, it was very inspiring. I think the more youth who can have that person, or that extra person in their life to provide some support and guidance, the better.”

Mentees can be as young as six and as old as 17, while mentors are as young as 14 and up to any age.

According to Harty, there is currently a waitlist of about 43 youth within their boundaries who are awaiting a mentor.

BBBS Lacombe & District has been operating since 1989 and serves Lacombe, Blackfalds, Bentley, Clive, Eckville, Alix and surrounding rural areas.

The auction ends Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. It can be accessed here. You can also view the wreaths at the Lacombe Memorial Centre and Blackfalds’ Abbey Centre.

More about BBBS Lacombe & District is here.