Raising funds for accessible transportation, the Wetaskiwin and District Association for Community Service (WDACS) is holding its 48th Annual Pumpkin Ball on Oct. 26 at the Co-op Place Rec Hall.
"Our signature event, the annual Pumpkin Ball, has a history of selling out and selling big and has a 47-year history," said WDACS executive director Marilyn Conner.
Pumpkin works of art, (carving is not allowed) are created by staff, individuals, and community members and are auctioned off live by auctioneers Conner says are "highly skilled and wildly entertaining."
"Gerald Zimmerman has donated his auctioneering services for more than 30 years in support of WDACS and Leighton Sorenson has partnered with Gerald at our Pumpkin Ball for close to 20 years. Between the two of them, they 'make the show,'" she said.
"We have benefited from Keagan Elder’s auctioneering for each of the last two Pumpkin Balls."
Cocktails start at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the auction and a dance.
This year, WDACC is celebrating its 60th anniversary and participants are encouraged to dress in the style of their favourite decade, from the '60s to the 2020s.
For tickets or other information, call 780-352-2241.
"We hope you will join us for the famous pumpkin auction," said Conner.
WDACS has raised over $ 706,000 through their last 11 auction events, according to Conner, adding previous balls fully paid for the recent construction of an accessible home as well as several accessible vehicles over the decades and much more.
Last year, the pumpkin ball raised a record-breaking $90,000, which was used to purchase another accessible van.
Proceeds from the 2024 Pumpkin Ball will go towards purchasing a vehicle for accessible community transportation.
The City of Wetaskiwin ended its handi-van service on June 30, 2023. The reason cited for the change was "to reduce the financial strain on the community."
In a press release, the city stated transit handi-van services were costing the municipality $325,000 per year and to continue services would have meant a two per cent tax rate increase.
The city provided transit services to Horizons Centre, WDACC, Catholic Social Services (CSS), and directly to local seniors by request. Administration reported the service had 125 individual clients annual, or one per cent of the city's population.
"The loss of specialized transportation in Wetaskiwin would have had a serious isolation effect," said Conner.
"This essential service met the needs of our city’s most vulnerable people: seniors and Individuals with disabilities."
Conner and WDACS partnered with Wetaskiwin Trans Comm Services, Horizons Centre, CSS and representatives from various seniors’ organizations, to form a transportation colation. Following a presentation to council in June 23, the coalition took over operation of the handi-van services.
Conner explained the coalition had the difficult task of creating a business solution that would provide quality service while keeping user costs affordable.
"Many of the citizens who access the service are on a fixed and limited income and without the service, would be impacted socially, medically, and financially if they could not access the community in which they live," said Conner.
Since July 1, 2023, WDACS and Wetaskiwin Trans Comm Services have managed and operated accessible transportation services in Wetaskiwin.
After six months, the management of the service was to be transferred to a new not-for-profit organization, the Wetaskiwin Community Transportation Society (WCTS), however, the society is still working on its development, said Conner.
"Volunteers have worked tirelessly to revive this not-for-profit and additional board members would be welcome."
The WCTS has been dealing with some obstacles gaining charitable status, however, Conner said the society aims to be operational on or before April 1, 2025.
"Our combined focus has been on ensuring the transition will be effective and that this essential service will be viable and sustainable into the future," she said.
In the meantime, fundraising efforts and strategies to generate revenue are underway to ensure the longevity of the service and a smooth transition in 2025.
Founded in 1964, WDACC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals who are living with disabilities.