Last year Jaden Babiuk started Strikes for Cancer, an afternoon of bowling for a good cause that hit home with close to a full capacity crowd, raising approximately $8,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). This year he wants to fill the house and hit $10,000.
He is only seven years old, proving that true community leadership knows no age. This time around the precocious Jaden and his parents Marvin and Lisa are only aiming higher.
Marvin said the first effort was so impressive that Jaden was nominated for the National Philanthropy Awards in the youth category.
"What they said to us is that there's a lot of kids that do get involved in fundraising activities but it's very rare when you have someone so young actually help create something."
The fundraiser takes place next Sunday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is already looking to be a blockbuster with prizes, great bowling action and everyone having fun. It isn't a contest, Babiuk added, and everyone wins.
The St. Albert Bowling Centre is located at 14 Inglewood Dr. Registration is $50. For more information or to sign up, visit www.strikesforcancer.com. All proceeds go to the CCS. If you can't make it to the event and wish to donate directly to the cause, visit www.cancer.ca.
Food bank looking for your bids
As its client list continues to grow, the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village (SAFB) is always coming up with new ways to fill its shelves.
Next Saturday it is hosting its first annual Silent and Live Auction event from 7 to 10 p.m. right inside its warehouse. It looks to be more of a social event than a boring old evening at Sotheby's.
MLA Doug Horner will celebrate the start of the golf season by challenging guests on the putting green while St. Albert's own Olympic gold medallist Marc Kennedy will take on all comers with a game of table curling. Away from the sports action, celebrated local painter Monk will be working on a live painting to be auctioned off at the end of the evening. There is also a slate of other great auction items.
Executive Director Suzan Krecsy hopes to have a capacity crowd to emphasize the ever-growing need in the city. She said the facility served 167 families last month, equalling 655 individuals, a 25 per cent increase from the same period last March, which in itself was a 40 per cent increase from 2008.
"I couldn't predict that we'd have to help that many families. It's such a huge increase."
Tickets are $10. The SAFB is located at 50 Bellerose Dr., next to Canadian Tire. Call 780-459-0599 for more information.
