Western Wheel Cares returns for its 12th year in 2023 as it continues a proud tradition of raising money for many worthwhile causes over the holiday season.
This year’s campaign, which takes donations from the community and distributes them evenly to seven local charities, kicks off Nov. 1 and runs through to Dec. 31.
“We’re always grateful for the support the community has shown and we’re amazed by the way they step up year after year,” said Western Wheel publisher Shaun Jessome.
Jessome said it was “overwhelmingly gratifying” to have the campaign surpass the half-million-dollar mark last year, adding that kind of total was a far-off dream for organizers when they launched the initiative over a decade ago.
Western Wheel Cares has raised $569,059 for local charities since its inception.
The 2023 campaign will benefit seven organizations: Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society, Foothills Country Hospice, Inclusion Foothills, Okotoks Food Bank, Pound Rescue, Rowan House Society and Sheep River Health Trust.
In its 11th year in 2022, Western Wheel Cares collected a record $82,670 – topping the previous all-time high of $72,107 raised the year before.
Gayle Wolf, office manager at the Western Wheel and co-ordinator of Western Wheel Cares, said she’s optimistic the public will continue to back the campaign and the charities it supports.
“We are hopeful that our community shows the same feeling of giving during this year’s campaign as the needs of many in our community continue to be high,” Wolf said.
She said this year’s campaign is looking to see more involvement from the business community, which will receive free advertising in print and online through the “Santa’s Elves” recognition program for donations to Western Wheel Cares.
This year’s campaign will once again feature a 50/50 draw to be held during Light Up Okotoks on Friday, Nov. 17. Last year’s winner took home $1,452.
Jessome said one of the great aspects of Western Wheel Cares is that a singular donation benefits seven local charities. One hundred per cent of donations collected are passed through to those organizations, one of which will be featured each week in the Western Wheel over the next seven weeks.
To donate to Western Wheel Cares, mail cheques to Box 150, Okotoks, AB, T1S 2A2 or visit https://www.westernwheel.ca/western-wheel-cares for a Paypal donation link.
As well, you can drop by the Wheel office at 9 McRae St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) or call 403-938-6397.
