Participants of the Kiwanis Airdrie Business Scavenger Hunt searched through local businesses on the hunt for Kiwanis’ cookbook mascot Kiki, in order to raise funds for various children’s organizations in Airdrie.
The Kiwanis Club of Airdrie Foothills raised $950 for the Kiwanis Service Fund, according to Nancy Wigglesworth, president of the local organization.
Wigglesworth said these dollars will specifically fund the Kiwanis Christmas party for disadvantaged families and a program that purchases shoes for kids.
The shoes for school project partners with the Community Link Supplies for Success program to provide children in need with shoes for gym class. The club purchased 125 pairs of shoes in 2021, followed by 200 shoes in 2022, with the goal of buying a total of 500 shoes for kids in Airdrie.
Participants in the Scavenger Hunt collected pledges for the number of paper Kikis they found at about 20 local businesses. For every KiKi found, the participants got a stamp, and if they collected at least 10 stamps, the participants were entered for a chance to win one of six prizes.
Prizes include $1,000, a $600 gift basket, a barbecue, and a $300, $200, and $100 gift basket. Baskets were donated by the individual businesses that participated in the hunt.
“Unfortunately, we only had 15 participants. It was a poor turnout, but the ones who did it were happy and the businesses were happy because they knew some money would go to Kiwanis and it helps the community,” Wigglesworth said.
The Kiwanis Club plans to bring the fundraiser back next year with hopes of attracting more participants.
Despite the poor turnout, Wigglesworth mentioned they raised more money than originally expected as their only goal was to break even.
She thanked all the businesses that took part in the fundraiser and said the club hosted a barbecue event on June 18 outside of Squiggly Pig Marketplace to thank businesses and draw prizes.
The barbecue also raised funds through the sale of hamburgers and hot dogs.
Later this year, the club will be hosting a trivia dinner with a silent auction and 50/50 draw.
Wigglesworth was happy to share the club has been helping out various local organizations with funds supporting the Airdrie Public Library’s teen zone program and their youth electronic book collection. Funds were also given to the youth volunteer core to build a garage at their garden plot, which was used to grow food for the food bank.
The food bank also received funds to support the school lunch program in four Airdrie schools throughout September and October.
The Airdrie Children’s Festival received funding for three more heavy duty tents, Camp Kiwanis received funding for two Airdrie youth to attend their one-week summer camp, as well as funding for the shoe program to provide close to 200 pairs of shoes for kids.
All donations sent go back to service projects in the community. Email [email protected] for more information.
