Fourteen years of delicious lobster and a great fundraiser that supports Whitecourt in many ways

 

The Rotary Club of Whitecourt held its 14^th Annual Lobster & Beef Fundraiser on Saturday, May 5 at École St. Joseph hall cooking up over 360 east coast crustaceans. The yearly event is the top fundraising opportunity for the club and the funds they raise enable them to support the community in many ways. This year one of the new projects they have planned involves a development at Rotary Park.

“We are going to be doing Festival Way. It will have a beautiful sidewalk, some buildings, tent pegs, power, and everything like that. So, when all the vendors are setting up for Party in the Park and all the different activities that take place there, it’s going to be more convenient for them and everyone who uses it,” said Rotarian, and event chair, Nevis Prufer.

Lobsterfest is a big part of how they can support these projects. This year’s event sold 325 tickets which is five tickets above sold out. “We’ve had great support from the community. We have 10 platinum sponsors, two gold, and 15 silver sponsors. Without those sponsors, we couldn’t put on this event,” said Prufer. “The community supports us and then we give back to the community.”

In fact, 100 per cent of the donations go back into the community. Rotarian and event co-chair Jennifer Hendrickson said that is one of the best parts of being part of the club. “The money that we raise tonight through ticket sales, donations, and the silent auction all goes back into those projects.”

On top of free weekly swimming at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre and free skating at the Scott Safety Centre, the Rotary Club of Whitecourt has a new addition this year: golf. “Every Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m., families can go to the Whitecourt Golf Course driving range for free, compliments of Rotary,” said Prufer.

Being able to bring the community together for free is something that Rotarians take great pride in, explained Hendrickson. “You want to live in a community that you are proud of and I’m really proud of this community. I’m proud of Rotary and I’m proud of the facilities, amenities, services, and projects that we have here. I have to say that for a town of this size we are way ahead of many others.”

Rotary also provides scholarship opportunities to local students and encourages the youth to take advantage by contacting it through its Facebook page (Rotary Club of Whitecourt). “If they send us a message then we will get the necessary information to them,” said Hendrickson.

Over the last 12 years, Abbie’s Catering has been cooking up the delicious grub at the fundraiser. “This is their last dinner with us because they are moving. It’s a very sad time for us having them leave as they have been with us a long time. We are truly grateful to Ray and Sherry because they have done an outstanding job. They always go the extra mile,” smiled Prufer.

Over 25 Rotarians worked during the event as well as extra volunteers, and the Whitecourt Gymnastics Club also helped by bussing tables. “It takes about 600 volunteer hours in three days to put on this event. That doesn’t count what’s happened before with the planning and work leading up to the event,” said Prufer. For those who missed out this year, mark your calendars for early April next year and be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible.