Community shows support for non-profit helping families

“We’re really pleased with the turnout,” he said at the gala. “In the last number of years, we’ve raised between $40,000 to $50,000 at this event, so we’re hoping that we’ll be someplace in that range as well.”

The local CFS applies for government grants but doesn’t receive any specific government funding to operate, so it relies on the support from the community through donations and fundraising to help cover much of its costs.

“We get a strong support from the [Catholic] Diocese of Prince Albert, and donations from many people in the community help us keep the programs going,” Loehndorf added.

During the fundraiser gala, the Catholic Family Services of the Battlefords showed people in attendance a special video to pay tribute to the organization’s 25 years of operation in the area.

“We were operating on a budget much less (than in the early years),” Loehndorf said of the organization’s beginnings. “We are close to a $2 million budget that we’re operating now, providing all kinds of services. We’re in a better position financially than we were back then. We still need to offer activities like this to provide support for the organization, but we’re really excited and pleased the way the organization has grown in the last 25 years.”

The local CFS serves the Battlefords area, including nearby First Nations communities, as well as Edam, Wilkie, and Cut Knife, among others.

During the charity dinner and auction, Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation donated $3,500. The foundation has provided a grant of support to the local CFS each of the past 25 years, amounting to $87,900 in total.

“I’m very proud to be part of the organization,” Loehndorf said. “It certainly provides a great deal of support to some needy families and individuals in the community. We’re pleased that we’re able to do that.

“We have a rich history of providing that kind of support, obviously 25 years of it, and we’re looking forward to being able to continue to provide that kind of support,” the president added.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Community shows support for non-profit helping families

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