There was much going on in St. Albert last Saturday with the opening of the St. Albert Farmers’ Market during a particularly soggy late spring day. But as a few patrons stopped by to pick up their vegetables, another scene close by saw hundreds gather to support their favourite charitable organizations.
Saturday featured the 11th annual Roy Financial Mayor’s Walk for Charity. Event organizer Heather McKinnon said the final figures haven’t yet been tallied but she knows the walk is still growing in size, even though pledges were down. So far, more than $102,000 has been brought in for a record 39 different groups, nine of which came from Edmonton.
“That was up from last year so that was great. Considering the weather, it actually went really well,” she said, saying spirits were still high. “Everybody was still in a fabulous mood. There were lots of smiles on people’s faces and they just went out there and did what they were there to do.”
She added there might still be donations that haven’t arrived because of the postal lockout.
In total there were 305 registered walkers, although many people brought family members with them as extra support.
Mayor Nolan Crouse was thrilled with the turnout although he couldn’t help but comment on the deluge of rain.
“It was wet,” he said. “Certainly the weather put a damper on the walk-up fundraising but those who had done all of their pre-fundraising, it was great. The bottom line is at least the money came in.”
While he doesn’t do any fundraising to specifically support any one of the groups, he does work to build up the Mayor’s Purse. Throughout the year, he solicits private and corporate donations. Registered participating charities from St. Albert that raise more than $1,000 get to share the proceeds. This year, there was about $4,000 in the pool but that won’t be divvied up yet until all pledges are counted.
McKinnon couldn’t have been happier with all of the results.
“Everything was actually well organized but I have to thank the volunteers. They always step up to the plate for that. It couldn’t happen without them.”
“Everyone was in a pretty good mood,” Crouse said. “On a good day and with good weather, we could have gotten up closer to $150,000 so I’m a little disappointed that the weather had such a negative impact on it.”
