By Sheldon Spackman

Supporting Local

100 Men Red Deer chooses Aspire for latest donation

Sep 11, 2019 | 1:46 PM

A local organization aimed at helping central Alberta charities meet their needs is celebrating the success of their most recent fundraising event.

100 Men Red Deer held their latest quarterly meeting at the Hideout Beats & Eats in Gasoline Alley Monday night and saw about 45 men and their guests attend in support of local charities.

Committee member Jack Wheeler says members heard presentations from Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer and Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre for consideration of support.

“The speakers of all three were fantastic and they all talked from personal experience,” says Wheeler. “I really loved how personal that they made it and how genuine they made it and it was not about a very bureaucratic pitch. All the organizations were very, very dear and personal to them and they spoke from the heart which is great.”

Wheeler also appreciated how each presenter detailed how funds raised through the event would directly impact their respective organization.

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“None of it was going to go into the coffers or savings accounts or saving up for a rainy day,” exclaims Wheeler. “It was for immediate impact and something we could see right away which was great. Always at 100 Men Red Deer, three charities pitch and always one is chosen that night, and it was “Charity C” – Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre.”

Although fundraising totals from Monday’s event have yet to be finalized, Wheeler anticipates it to be in the $4,000 range once fully counted.

“They were very specific, they did a great job,” recalls Wheeler. “They are going to put the funds directly towards a sensory playground at their new office. So for a lot of their clients, they are building a sensory playground for people with hearing, visual and special impairments.”

Wheeler says for local men who would like to share in the experience, the group meets four times a year for an hour or less and it’s completely free to join. Meetings also come with a free beer and the chance to win some raffle prizes.

A donation of $100 is required at each meeting to go towards the group’s chosen charity that night.

“It means so much to us because we can meet the charities, make an impact, and right away, see those funds put to good use,” says Wheeler.

100 Men Red Deer’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2.

To join or find out more, visit 100menreddeer.ca or visit their Facebook page here.