Okotoks’ newest service club is hosting a Valentine’s party to raise funds for youth.
The Okotoks Optimist Club is running a new fundraiser – Meat & Mingle, Taken or Single – at Big Sky BBQ Pit on Feb. 15 for $40 per plate.
Club president Amy Giroux said they’re hoping to pack the house with 100 people.
“The more the merrier,” she said. “It’s all to benefit youth in our community.”
The evening is open to adults only, whether couples looking for a Valentine’s weekend night out or friends who want to go out together and support a worthwhile cause in the meantime.
There will be dinner, silent auction, and dancing with a live band, she said.
Proceeds from the event will go toward initiatives of the Optimist Club to benefit Okotoks youth, she said. They painted the youth room at the Okotoks Recreation Centre with funds raised at their fall Pumpkin Chunkin event.
“We don’t have a casino yet like most service clubs do because we’re still in the growing stages, so because of that we’re relying a lot of this on fundraisers right now,” said Giroux.
She said they hope to be able to work toward big ticket items like small parks, financial aid for area youth, and one pet project she’d like to see.
“We would love to build a skate park structure for the kids to hang out in at the rec centre,” said Giroux. “With the money we get by fundraising, the more we can do for Okotoks.”
She said Optimist clubs around the world fund projects like an oratorical contest and essay contest, which provide scholarships for youth, and those opportunities will become available locally as the club grows.
For more information about Meat & Mingle or to buy tickets find it on Eventbrite or visit the Okotoks Optimist Club Facebook page.
