Residents of Outlook and area showed up in droves and packed the house for a live auction fundraiser held at the Civic Centre on Friday night, April 5 to benefit the new swimming pool facility in the community.
By the time the event had come to a close and the early numbers were crunched, it was clear that they’d made a big splash in showing their support.
Over 230 people made it out for the event, which started with a catered meal by Chris’s Kitchen, and included many donations of pies for dessert.
According to Tony Peter of the fundraising committee, “At this point I can report we have $50,000 after expenses - $35,148.50 from the auction, the 50/50 brought in $540, the bar brought in $1240, and supper brought in $929. We also had $12,143.50 from donations.”
The final numbers were being determined at the time this issue went to press.
Stopping by the offices of The Outlook on Monday morning, Peter was visibly humbled by the support shown for the event, noting that while the numbers that had been raised were fantastic, he was most impressed with the overall atmosphere and positivity felt during the auction itself; a community coming together for an evening to have a good time and do all it could to support a very worthwhile cause.
Serving as the auctioneer for the night was Frankie Forsberg, who kept the crowd on their toes and even entertained at times.
As is the case with most auction events held in rural Saskatchewan, baked goods and other foods were in great demand and fetched some impressive prices; $45 for three dozen eggs, $75 for a frozen chicken, pies going for $70 apiece, butter tarts going for $120, even an assortment of cookies being sold for $150.
Yes, it certainly goes without saying that people in small towns sure like to eat.
More so, they like to support initiatives that are important to them.
Other impressive auction totals included Outlook resident Lyall Campbell’s donation of five hours of yard work going for $425. Upon learning of how much his personal time went for, Campbell was overjoyed.
As well, a custom metal sign donated by Keith Theoret went for $700, with the winning bidder set to receive a custom design of their liking. The same total of $700 went to a metal fire pit donated by Keith Carlson. Other notable totals included:
- A birdhouse + stand going for $300, donated by Myrna Cragg & Ed Gagnon
- Ten rounds of golf at Riverview Golf Course going for $400
- A gift basket of alcohol going for $600, donated by Julie de Moissac and Bill Rees
- Twenty pounds of beef going for $275, donated by Donna and Murray Friend
- A heavy work jacket going for $500, donated by Mid-Plains Implements
- Three dozen muffins purchased for $500
- A swinging bench and bistro set going for $1600, donated by Outlook High School Industrial Arts students
In addition to the support shown for the auction event itself, Kim Olson of Broderick Garden Centre spoke to the crowd about her ‘Random Act of Flowers’ initiative that she’d undertook recently to raise money for the pool. With the sale of each $15 bouquet, Olson directed $10 to go to the facility, and by the time the auction event had arrived, Olson was elated to be able to donate a cheque for $2000 to the new pool.
As well, the Outlook Kinsmen Club reached down and gave big, with Lance Hope, Jason McPherson and Andrew Bowey donating a cheque for an incredible $5000.
The pool fundraising committee was grateful not only for the success of this event, but for the support that the community and those beyond have shown the new swimming pool.
“As we would like to thank each and every one of our supporters by name, it would be impossible as the people of Outlook have provided tremendous support over the past 5 years since we began our fundraising efforts, because of you our project vision has come to life!”
Tony Peter noted in an email to this reporter that it was “a great evening with a great return.”
