The Battlefords Boys and Girls Club are one of 10 charities in the running to win $125,000 in a contest. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Community Support

Boys and Girls Club hope for success in contest to help with programming costs

Dec 4, 2019 | 4:54 PM

With the results only weeks away, The Battlefords Boys and Girls Club (BBGC) are crossing their fingers, hoping to be the top winner in an online contest to win a donation of $125,000.

All the winners of the IA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance) Philanthropic Contest will be announced Dec. 12.

The BBGC are among the top 10 finalists competing with other charities across Canada for the prize.

BBGC Executive Director Nicole Combres said even if the organization doesn’t receive the top prize amount, it will win a significant donation, which will help with its costs. The second and third place winners will win $50,000, while the remaining seven charities in the running will receive $10,000 each.

“It will have a huge impact and significance on our ability to continue to offer programs and services,” Combres said of the support.

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The BBGC is the only charity representing Saskatchewan in the running. People had an opportunity to vote in the contest until Nov. 29.

The contest winnings will help support the organization’s drop in programming in particular.

“It’s with donations such as this that we are able to ensure we have the facilities we have, and people we have in place to offer really great programs and services to our community,” Combres said.

The BBGC offers programs at four locations. It provides Drop In programs six days a week at its main centre on 104 St. in North Battleford. It also offers before-and-after-school care at Bready School; as well as after-school programs at École Monseigneur Blaise Morand (EMBM) and Holy Family schools.

The BBGC also plans to start a new before-school program at EMBM as well starting in January 2020.

The organization provides programming for children and youth ages five to 14.

“We don’t stop there,” Combres said. “If there is a 15 or 16 year old needing our support in some way, shape or form we make sure it happens.”

The charity raised about $72,000 from donations, ticket and auction sales at its annual gala event that will be used to help cover some of its operating costs.

The organization reports more children, youth and families access its services each year.

As an example, its nutrition program alone saw a 52 per cent increase in usage from Sept. 2018 to the same time in 2019.

“Because of that, we need to make sure that we have the funds to support our nutrition program, because it’s vital to the success of our children, youth and families of our community,” Combres said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow