Canada has seen an increased spark in wildfires this spring, already making it one of the worst wildfire seasons on record. Many Canadians have been displaced amid the ongoing wildfires in northern Alberta, being forced to evacuate from their homes and communities.
But Albertans have proven time and again they are willing to step up and help those in need, and this year is no different.
Airdrie’s Katavallo Entertainment has partnered with Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Balzac to hold a fundraiser to help those affected by the recent wildfires. The event will take place on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be located in a tent on the south side of the casino.
Katavallo Entertainment is no stranger to putting on such fundraisers. In 2013, they raised just under $70,000 to support High River during the southern Alberta floods. In 2016, they were at it again, helping to raise approximately $17,000 to support the Fort McMurray wildfire victims.
Manager and operator of Katavallo Entertainment, Cheryl Barkhouse, said they are ready to help those in need once again.
“We decided to do what we know best,” Barkhouse said. “We're putting on a fundraiser that is entrenched in music, and we're relying on our music community to come in and help out.”
Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair recently provided an update on the wildfires that are currently ravaging the country from coast to coast.
“Unfortunately, [this is] Canada’s worst wildfire season of the 21 century,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of helping others, Barkhouse said it’s a small thing to come together and show support. She said that it’s the neighbourly thing to do when others are going through a hard time.
Barkhouse added that you never know when your community may be in need. She hopes that if that day comes, others will remember the help they received.
“It's a very small thing that we can do by coming together and supporting a fundraiser,” she said. “I hope if it should happen that our neighbours will step up and help us too.”
Money raised from the silent auction and concession sales will go to the Northwestern Alberta Foundation. The charitable organization is committed to putting the money back into the communities affected by the wildfires.
Barkhouse said they researched various organizations because they wanted to be certain the money was going directly to the people in need.
“They roll up their sleeves, they get into the communities, [and] they keep the money in the communities that are affected by these fires,” she said. “We did a lot of digging to find an organization that is definitely above board and definitely doing some fantastic things.”
The Airdrie Food Bank will also be at the event, accepting non-perishable food items and running a 50/50 draw. The food collected will make its way north to smaller food banks in need.
Proceeds from the 50/50 draw will go to the Airdrie Food Bank and turn into donations to help northern areas as needed.
The event will boast plenty of live entertainment, with seven confirmed artists prepared to take the stage. Barkhouse also confirmed the event is family-friendly, with activities for younger children also expected at the fundraiser.
“You don't have to worry about your kids, you can bring them along [and] they can have fun,” she said.
