Pipestone Flyer
On Friday, November 14, the Leduc & District Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual ‘Spirit Of Giving’ Luncheon. Close to three hundred regional business people gathered to celebrate the Festive Season and to collectively support good causes in a big way.
Held in the Co-op Field House at the Leduc Recreation Centre that was also hosting the Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Annual Festival of Trees (the huge Marketplace and seasonal extravaganza). This lunchtime event was held among an impressive collection of Christmas Trees decorated by community groups and Christmas entities. The highest bidder then chose a charity of their choice to donate the proceeds to. At the start of the luncheon twenty-five members of the Piatta Forma Choir performed several pieces to the unanimous delight of the luncheon guests. This performance set the tone for this festive lunch, a plentiful and delicious buffet catered by Kosmos Restaurant, another great community supporter.
Commercial entities also were in the spirit of giving, as demonstrated by the main Event Sponsor, CAMEX Equipment, Sales & Rentals. Wally Taschuk, Sales & Marketing Manager, explaining how his company believes in giving back to the community in monetary ways as well as with volunteer hours. CAMEX presented its 7th Annual Camex Spirit Of Giving Award to MNP, a Leduc firm they admire for its year-round contributions to the community. Meyers Norris & Penny is an accounting firm that is highly regarded in this region. With several MNP team members in attendance, the award was received by its three owners, Lee Plamondon, Scott Walker and Dale Huber.
On the beautifully decorated stage, the Chamber’s Executive Director, Jennifer Garries, was a light-hearted, articulate host of the proceedings, well acquainted with the regional business community as she has been a member of the Leduc Regional Chamber of Commerce Team for the past several years. Jennifer always adds a ‘homey’ touch to any business gathering the Chamber hosts.
Jesse Hill of Cottage Computers explained how his company gives generously of their time and expertise to worthy groups in our community such as the Leduc & District Boys & Girls Club, which they helped recently when a computer glitch deeply upset the clubs’ entire system. Cottage Computers also presented a cheque to Rise-Up House, the centre that provides advice and support to victims of domestic abuse.
The Leduc-Nisku VLT operators representing eight lounges were happy to present a cheque to the Leduc & District Food Bank. The Leduc ReMax Realtors presented a cheque to Santa’s Helpers, and to the Leduc & District Food Bank. The Nisku-Leduc Rotary Club made a presentation to Boys and Girls Club of Leduc, Santa’s Helpers, and the Leduc & District Food Bank.
RiseUp House announced that their annual Hope & Healing fundraiser will take place on December 5th at the Nisku Inn. It was suggested that you get your tickets soon as this event fills up quickly. Second Glance, the Leduc store where shoppers can find gently-used clothing, books, sports gear and furniture is a ‘giver’ in this region. Since 1980, it has contributed an amazing $1,223,600 to thirty-three different organizations.
Ed Rifo, executive director of the Leduc and District Victim Services shared his gratitude for the community’s support as well as to the volunteer advocates who train all year-round and assist residents in a time of crisis. Lorraine Popik, executive director of the Leduc Black Gold Health Foundation (LBGHF), emotionally announced their thanks to the generosity of residents and our business community. The Family Care Project at the Leduc Community Hospital has reached its initial goal, having completed the re-furbishing of four ‘quiet rooms’ and two family rooms ahead of schedule. One of these rooms is conveniently located next to the Emergency Room. So the project and the fundraising now continue with the plan to create a new family room on the third floor.
The City of Leduc’s most vocal champion, Mayor Greg Krischke, announced that November 28 is ‘National Jersey Day’. He encouraged the business community to wear a jersey on that day to show our support and love of sports, and challenged all to donate at least a toonie to the ‘Everybody Gets To Play’ and the Canadian Tire’s ‘Jump Start’ programs, both of these supporting kids who sadly do not have financial access to organized sports. On Saturday, November 29th, the Leduc Recreation Centre (LRC) is inviting all residents to ‘Come Out And Play,’ an entire day of extra activities such as underwater hockey, a rock climbing challenge, floor hockey and the regular schedule of fun and fit activities. More information on that days’ activities at the LRC can be found on the city’s website, www.leduc.ca.
Besides hearing of all the charitable and worthy groups in our community, this luncheon provided an opportunity for all the guests to hear of the caring, generous spirit of our community and to be enlightened about the non-profit groups that we might be inclined to begin (and continue) supporting in the New Year. Bravo Chamber of Commerce Team, for planning and executing such excellent events and to encourage us to support financially and otherwise, the groups that cater to our Leduc City and County’s deserving families.