(Image Credit: Dawn Lundquist/Supplied)

By Ian Gustafson

Donate until Feb. 10

Red Deer resident organizes fundraiser for Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Centre

Jan 12, 2026 | 2:53 PM

A Red Deer citizen has taken it upon herself to give back to the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) through a fundraiser.

Dawn Lundquist organized a fundraiser that began on Dec. 31 and will continue through Feb. 10, with all proceeds going to the CAWES.

Lundquist explained that she was motivated to give back to the shelter after she turned to them for help after she escaped a violent and abusive relationship in 2022.

“They helped me immensely through their crisis workers and just being a support for me through my crisis of the domestic violence case that I was in,” she explained. “I’m just a person who utilized the shelter, and my first thought in order for me to heal was to share my story.”

For those who want to give back, e-transfers can be sent directly to the CAWES at donations@cawes.com or by mailing a cheque or money order to the shelter at Box 561 in Red Deer. The cheque or money order can be made out to the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Centre.

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Lundquist explained that she can also pick up cash, cheque, or physical donations around central Alberta. She can be reached at 587-693-3296.

Outside of funds, the shelter is in need of women’s and children’s unopened underwear, unopened food, deodorant, hygiene products, baby wipes, body wash, shampoo/body wash for kids, loofas, shower steamers, and shower-related items.

For more information, Lundquist set up a Facebook page called Raising Funds for Cawes.

“I want all women to know that they can turn to the shelter for help and that they don’t have to live in fear.”