The Airdrie Rotary Club has $13,000 burning a hole in its pocket, and is keen to give the money away to local charitable causes at this year’s 17th annual Dragon’s Den event on Nov. 29.
Inspired by the popular Canadian television show Dragons' Den, the event sees a panel of Rotary Club members hear pitches from local organization representatives who are hoping for some financial help with a project or purchase.
But, says Airdrie Rotary Club past president Dale Rathgeber, it’s not really a competition – it’s about drawing attention and support for some important, and sometimes little known, causes in the community.
“It’s just like Dragons' Den on CBC except we are not so obnoxious,” joked Rathgeber. “We buy stuff and help with programs. But mostly we buy stuff. Like we buy drums for the Boy Scouts and canoes for the Boy Scouts. Wool (for Project Linus). For Kids Up Front we buy tickets and buses for disadvantaged kids to go to hockey games.
“There is nobody on the list that isn’t pivotal to helping the youth, the elderly and the disadvantaged in this community.”
Dragons' Den event coordinator and Airdrie Rotary Club past president Kerry Bostick said there are 13 local charities honing their pitches for the Nov. 29 event, which takes place in the Rotary Room at Genesis Place Recreation centre. None walk away empty-handed.
“I think the good thing about the Dragons' Den is that some organizations that normally wouldn’t be recognized for some fundraising events can come and get money from us,” she said. “It’s not a stipulation that it has to be a registered charity. You can be any sort of group that is looking to do something in the community. We like to make sure everybody leaves with something, because that’s the nature of Rotary.”
According to Rathgeber, it is also about bringing the larger community to the table and into the conversation and convening community. The event is open to the public, and all those coming out are encouraged to listen to what the organizations vying for funding on Dragons' Den have to say about their work and their aims. Rathgeber hopes those listening in are also inspired to reach into their own wallets and hearts to support these local community members who are so passionate about their works.
“In the best of all possible worlds, they should come out and bring their cheque books," he said. "If we (at Rotary) give $1,000, we hope they will give another $1,000, or $100, or $10 – or get (these organizations) to help out at an event, or something.”
As usual, Bostick noted, the Airdrie Rotary Club will be hosting Dragons' Den on the date known as Giving Tuesday, in solidarity with this special day in Canada and throughout the world. This partnership with Giving Tuesday is something, Bostick confirmed, that Airdrie Rotary Club has been engaged in for the past five years.
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 by Canadian organizations to encourage people to do good. Giving Tuesday currently has active movements in more than 80 countries, working year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with “a common mission to create a world where giving is part of everyday life.”
Rathgeber encouraged all those interested in helping some fantastic local causes in this giving spirit to come out to the Airdrie Rotary Club’s Dragons' Den event.
“We (Rotarians) like nothing more than knowing that the money we spend has gone to help out community,” he said.
The causes and organizations making their pitch to this year’s Dragon’s Den event include: A.E. Bowers Elementary, Airdrie and District Victims Assistance, Airdrie Health Foundation, Airdrie Meals on Wheels, Airdrie Project Linus, Airdrie Public Library, Girl Guides of Canada, Kids Up Front, Sober Friends Society, Tails to Tell Animal Rescue, the Navy League Cadet Corps, and the Volunteer Airdrie Calgary' Fiddlers Association.
