(Red Deer Dream Centre/Facebook)

By Ian Gustafson

Recovery program

Red Deer Dream Centre raises record amount at annual fundraiser

Oct 8, 2025 | 3:51 PM

The Red Deer Dream Centre’s third annual fundraising walk in support of men in recovery was a success.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, they raised over $160,000 during the three-kilometre walk that began at CrossRoads Church. Their fundraising goal of $125,000 was surpassed, and they doubled what they raised last year.

Wes Giesbrecht, board president and cofounder of the Red Deer Dream Centre, said this is the most money they’ve ever raised at the event, and it’s still climbing.

“It continues to go up, which has been remarkable,” he said.

The outpouring of support from the public, Giesbrecht credited to community awareness. They’ve been in business for three years, and he said the impact they’ve had on the community has been phenomenal.

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Approximately 80 to 100 people showed up at the fundraising event, which he said encouraged the men who are in the recovery program at the Dream Centre.

“They see that there are people outside of their community that actually support them and are rooting for them,” he said. “And that’s really powerful.”

The money raised came together over the last eight weeks, including an individual who promised to match donations up to $50,000.

For those who are interested, donations are still being accepted either in person or online at rddc.ca.

The funds raised will go towards helping the Dream Centre with operational costs. With a budget of $1.5 million, the dream centre has the capacity to have 30 beds full, 20 of which are funded through a provincial government grant.

The grant, from Alberta Health Services, provides approximately $610,000 per year to the Centre, which means they have to raise the remaining $900,000 every year.

“That’s a huge feat, so having a walk like this that essentially makes over 10 per cent of our budget back to us is crucial,” he said.

The Red Deer Dream Centre provides a live-in, six-month drug and alcohol recovery program for men. The program addresses physical, mental, and spiritual addiction issues.

Since the program’s inception, they’ve been able to stay in touch with many men who’ve gone through the program. To date, 70 per cent have stayed sober.