The Sylvan Lake Seniors Association has raised nearly $10,000 for its endowment fund with the help of community businesses.
The membership of the Seniors Association voted on establishing the endowment fund on Jan. 31 and ever since donations have been rolling in, association treasurer Patti Parslow said.
“Every week, we are updating our total amount received. The generosity of our members is overwhelming. It is great to see.”
The endowment fund was started to escape the ups and downs of government grants the association has relied on for a big portion of the association’s budget, Seniors Association President Ian Oostindie said.
“Most of our revenue is generated by our own fundraising and occasional fees for some activities. Creating an endowment fund is a way of becoming more self-sufficient while operating an expanded service for older adults in the community.”
To help the Seniors Association meet its first goal, the staff team at Mr. Mike’s Restaurant in partnership with the IDA pharmacy in Sixty West became the first business donations in the community to the fund.
“Originally these businesses’ staff planned to participate in the Polar Bear Dip but were forced to reorganize when ice conditions shifted the event to the Meltdown Festival. Several staff were still able to participate including Michael Bell, Connor Lyons, and Yash Patel,” Oostindie said.
The next goal for the association’s fundraising efforts is to reach $25,000.
Serving over 400 members, the association has dozens of volunteers and one paid part-time program coordinator.
“The association often has event and services partnerships with the Town of Sylvan Lake’s FCSS staff. They also rely on their own volunteer team and have some contracted facilitators to provide dozens of workshops and activities,” Oostindie said.
“Practically all of the Center activities and programs are open to any community member of any age.”
To help the association any community member can make a tax-deductible donation.
More information on the Seniors Association is available by contacting the Seniors Centre in the NexSource Multiplex at 403-887-5428 or slseniorspc@gmail.com.