Lacombe Family and Community Support Services is pleased to invite the community to a night of liquors, chocolates and catered treats for their Sip N’ Savour fundraiser event.
“It’s a classy but casual evening where people get dressed up and just have fun. It’s a great date night or girls’ night out. People come, sample amazing wines, beers and spirits and enjoy food that is out of this world,” said Jan Pocock, volunteer and community services coordinator for FCSS.
“This year we have a new addition of a chocolatier who will be bringing some samples and even making raspberry truffles live.”
The event takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre in the Centennial Room. Event tickets cost $50 and can be purchased at the FCSS office in the Lacombe Memorial Centre or at Chateau Wines.
Guests will be able to take part in a silent auction for items such as massages, purchase 50/50 raffle tickets or donate directly to an FCSS program with a new program-to-program donation service.
“The program-to-program donation means that you could, for example, purchase a $20 tomato, but really, that $20 is going to the Good Food Box, and you’re receiving a tomato and a thank you,” said Pocock.
“Or you could purchase a $75 Connex pass for a senior. Now you would buy that $75 pass and in return you’d get a pair of mittens or something. Now, you’re basically buying a $75 pair of mittens, but that money is going straight to buying a bus pass for the individual who needs a Connex pass.”
The program-to-program donation is a way to involve guests directly in the support services offered by FCSS. Pocock describes it as a fun way to donate and see the programs that directly benefit from community efforts.
“This is our one and only fundraiser that blankets the entire organization. We tend to do little program-oriented fundraisers, such as Tools for Schools but this is our only fundraiser that helps support everything from senior supports like Meals on Wheels to children and parent supports like ParentLink,” said Pocock.
“This is not only a way to fundraise, but a way for us to thank our community supports. We all get together and have some fun.”
Businesses throughout Lacombe are donating items such as advertising, free massages and more. Pocock says that FCSS is still welcoming donations and auction items from local businesses.
To get involved, they should contact her at 403-782-6637.
“For some things, monetary donations are nice so that we can purchase or make items for auction, such as a wine advent calendar I’m trying to put together. There are a lot of different items up for auction that can fit every person who attends,” Pocock said.
“My favourite thing about the Sip N’ Savour is the energy that happens in the room – it’s just so fun,” she said. “People are laughing and eating and it comes together to create a great night. It brings everybody together and we’re getting delicious samples that are all community-based.”
All of the funds raised from the Sip N’ Savour event will directly go to funding community programs such as Lifeline, Home Support, Healthy Families, Meals on Wheels and more. Pocock said that more than 3,000 people in the Lacombe and district communities accessed these services last year, so the funding from this event goes a long way.