At first glance it seems like more road construction but when you get right up to it, it's all about community building.
Last weekend's Mile of Money along Boudreau Road made many motorists slow down and dig deep for the Saint City Rotary Club. The small but sturdy service club has held this event for eight years now on the last day of the Children's Festival. It isn't just a major fundraiser; it also helps to spread the word about the good work the club does in the community.
Ross Algar is the director of community service for the club. He called the Mile a major success, tallying up $5,700 in donations during the span of only a few hours. After that, major sponsor H & W Produce pulled up and plunked down another $2,000 for its annual gift.
"They're very, very strong supporters of the drug awareness program," he said, talking about just one of their ongoing initiatives.
He listed a sample of their many local efforts including other youth programs, seniors' tours, highway clean-up, helping with Canada Day festivities, and the 2.5 acre Rotary Centennial Park that is under construction at the Riel Park entrance to the BLESS shelter at Big Lake. The club also lends support to Families at the Dump, Canadian Aid for Fire Services Abroad and Canadian Association of Medical Teams Abroad.
"We're a very small club — only 18 or 19 people — and we're very proud of the fact that we do a lot of good work in the community."
Saint City Rotary's next major fundraising event is its third annual charity golf classic Thursday Aug. 25 at the Sturgeon Valley Golf & Country Club. Participants and sponsors are still being sought.
To learn more or to get involved, visit www.saintcityrotary.org.
Rodeo wrap-up
Attendees were happy the Rainmaker didn't live up to its name this year.
Thanks to the blissfully balmy weather, the rodeo's host agency is calling it a big success.
"Everything went really well," said Neil Korotash, president of the Kinsmen Club of St. Albert. "It was fantastic. Everything was really well attended."
The three-day concert series, fair and festival had sunshine and ample attendance, helping to boost the club's fundraising figures. It also gave them some much-needed confidence in the event after last year's same-day snowstorm soured the crowds from coming out to Riel Park.
While financial details are still being tallied, he called it an unmitigated success.
"Suffice it to say, we made money. We know we'll be able to increase or renew our commitments to some of the charitable organizations that we support."
That list includes Stop Abuse in Families, the St. Albert Youth Community Centre, STARS Air Ambulances, and Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
All in all, things are looking sunny for next year's rodeo when the landscaping will be completed.
"We're re-energized," Korotash said.
For more information or to get involved, call 780-458-7433 or visit www.stalbertkinsmen.ca.
