(The Outreach Centre website)

By Alessia Proietti

Radio-thon, Lip Sync Battle, Adopt-a-Family

The Outreach Centre’s Holiday Hope Campaign kicks off to help central Alberta families this season

Nov 12, 2023 | 8:00 AM

The Outreach Centre’s Holiday Hope Campaign has officially begun with various opportunities for central Albertans to help fundraise for the cause.

Their largest initiative of the year, the two-month Campaign kicked off November 1 to fundraise for low-income families during the holiday season, so they can have gifts under the tree, food on their table, and some financial aid.

“When we think about the holiday season, we think of things like peace, joy, and a time of festivity and we want families that are struggling to know that we’re here, that we can lend a helping hand. We wish we could do more but we can at least make sure that they’re going to be able to celebrate the holiday season with some gifts and with some food and just a little extra to help them make ends meet during the month of December,” said Ian Wheeliker, Executive Director of the Centre.

Wheeliker says last year, the Centre served over 200 families, giving out about $96,000 in support to low-income single-parent families, and thankfully raised $100,000 to cover the costs. This year, he anticipates the demand to increase by 10 per cent or more, and giving out around $100,000 in support.

“We just want to help families during a very tough economic time. I know that it’s a joyous time for so many of us but for so many people in our community, and I think that number is growing, it can be a very stressful time because of inflation and the high cost of living and so we want to do what we’ve always done which is to help families out during the holiday season,” he said.

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Various events will be taking place throughout November and December for the campaign, beginning with a radio-thon on November 15 from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. on BIG 105 and 106.7 REWIND radio stations. Named ‘A Day of Holiday Hope’, clients and staff from the Centre will be sharing their stories on the air to raise awareness and funds.

“We just want people to sort of listen, to think, to reflect and, if they can give, to give to a great cause on that day,” said Wheeliker.

Then, by popular demand, the Lip Sync Battle will be returning to Bo’s Bar & Stage for their seventh year with competitors in costumes and showing off their dance moves to catchy tunes. Wheeliker says it has become the premier event for lip sync battles in the province and the largest fundraising event for their organization.

Once again this year they will be holding two shows, on November 30 and December 14, and while they are already sold out, those interested can still make donations in support of the performers.

The Adopt-a-Family program has also returned, focusing on single-parent families requiring extra support during the holidays. While in the past, physical gifts were provided, since the pandemic, the Centre transitioned to donating gift cards to empower parents and caregivers to buy what they know they need. Donors can pick what size of family they would like to sponsor.

Those interested can donate online, by phone at 403-347-2480, or in person at the Centre (4101 54 Ave.) by cheque, cash, or gift card.

Wheeliker says the Campaign has been running for over 10 years due to the generosity of central Albertans.

““I want to say thank you to everyone in the community that has supported us for many, many years,” he said. “We do need their help and their support and their kindness again this year so I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and to thank the community for being so giving.”

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