Once again, Lacombe and area has shown overwhelming support for the Lacombe & District Family and Community Support Services.
On Oct. 17th Lacombe FCSS held its annual Sip N’ Savour event at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.
The evening of delicious drinks and enchanting eats was once again an incredible event for the organization.
“It was a roaring success,” said Jan Pocock, volunteer and community services coordinator for FCSS.
Pocock added the totals are still being counted, but she estimated that this year’s Sip N’ Savour event was on par with last year’s and will bring in around $8,000.
As with every year, the people of Lacombe were not at all stingy when it came to giving to FCSS.
“The people are so generous when they come, they are amazing,” said Pocock.
This year, Lacombe FCSS added two new features to the Sip N’ Savour event. One was the ability make one-on-one donations directly to programs and the other was the addition of Bernard Callebaut Chocolates of Red Deer to the palette of tastes available for sampling at the event.
Both events were successful.
Pocock said the one-on-one donations, where donations went directly to individuals or individual programs (for example, a donor could support a lifeline for a senior for one month) went over particularly well.
“It was really well received.”
Pocock also said that the chocolates added to the theme of the Sip N’ Savour event.
“It added yet another level of class to this classy event,” she said.
Pocock added she plans on making both additions to future Sip N’ Savour events.
“They will be repeats for sure.”
Lacombe FCSS start the Sip N’ Savour fundraiser as a way to ‘fill the gaps’ in its funding, said Pocock.
She said that this big blanket fundraiser allows for FCSS to fund programs that don’t always receive a lot of regular funds from the public or elsewhere.
She gave the example of the tax-filing program that FCSS offers.
She said the program is done all through volunteers, but money is still needed to pay for things like the actual computer software used in the program.
“Events like these help cover those (programs),” said Pocock.
“We need this money to continue to give the services to the people in need in our community.”
There are also services like the Coats for Kids program where families in need can purchase good quality warm winter wear for their children. The annual program has already kicked off and is underway for this year.
“We are open for business as we speak right now.”
Interested families can stop by the Lacombe FCSS offices to pick up an application for the program.
Pocock said requirements for the program are based on the income of the family.
Once families are accepted, they receive a voucher for a certain amount of money based on the age of their children.
She said that includes everything from winter boots to ski pants to snowsuits to mittens and toques. She added that families even get to decide on the colours and styles of that winter wear.
Last year, Coats for Kids benefited 64 children from 27 families.
Pocock said 33 snowsuits, 20 winter coats, nine pairs of winter boots, nine sets of mittens and toques and five pairs of ski-pants were distributed to families in need.
She also reiterated how thankful she is for the support of the community at FCSS events like Sip N’ Savour because without it, programs like Coats for Kids would not be possible.
“My heart overflows with thankfulness for all these people who continue to support the good work we do here at FCSS.”