Local restaurant Cilantro and Chive has raised $1,060 for KidSport with their recent Burger of the Month campaign.
In November, the business partnered with professional curler Colin Hodgson to create a burger that would raise money for a charity of his choice. Hodgson, who was raised in Lacombe, decided on KidSport because he has always appreciated his own opportunities to play sports.
During the process of arranging the KidSport donation, it was discovered there is not currently a KidSport chapter in Lacombe County. This initial discovery led to KidSport Alberta laying the groundwork to create one.
When the Lacombe Express spoke with KidSport in November they were still in the process of figuring out what would be needed for a chapter in the county.
Now, they have set an initial fundraising goal of $10,000 and the donation from the Burger of the Month will go towards the startup costs.
“We are so grateful to Colin and Cilantro and Chive for choosing KidSport, for their support with this initiative and their genuine passion to help local kids,” said Nick Davies, Development and Communications Manager with KidSport Alberta.
In addition to monetary donations, KidSport is still looking for local volunteers who want to help make the local chapter a reality.
In 2019 KidSport saw 27 applications from kids in the City of Lacombe and another 28 from Lacombe County. So far there have been 20 applications in 2020 and Davies said this shows the growing need for a chapter in the community.
The money was handed over to KidSport Alberta on Dec. 9 in a virtual meeting.
The December Burger of the Month will be completed in partnership with Sheena Johnson. The “Nacho Cheeseburger” includes a beef patty, queso spread, guacamole and pico de gallo topped with fried tortilla chips. Two dollars from every burger sold will go directly to Vantage Community Services.