BY RYAN WELLICOME
Lacombe Express
Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) will be looking to wine and dine the community at its sixth annual Sip ‘n Savour fundraiser on Oct. 21st at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.
The event is the FCSS’s only fundraiser of the year with last year’s garnering $8,000 – FCSS volunteer and special events coordinator Jan Pocock said this year, their goals are loftier.
“(Sip ‘n Savour) is absolutely vital. We made $8,000 last year – every year we make a little bit more so my goal is $10,000,” she said.
“We always accept donations throughout the year for whatever program we are highlighting at that point in time but this is our only standalone major fundraiser.”
Proceeds from the event will go towards the FCSS’s year-round programming and assistance services.
“(The proceeds) are for all of FCSS which is really unique because it’s supporting all of the programs we do here at FCSS. It’s not targeted,” said Pocock.
Chateau Wines and Spirits will provide the event’s flagship component while Cilantro and Chive will provide the evening’s menu. Silent auction items are to be provided by a number of local businesses.
Though the event’s primary purpose is to raise funds for the organization, the FCSS also hopes to create awareness.
“It’s a wonderful, classy evening where you get to learn about wine, sample lots of amazing wines – the food is out of this world – and not only that, you are supporting a worthy cause,” said Pocock.
Inauspicious economic conditions have affected organizations province-wide and the Lacombe FCSS has seen some increased activity and use of their services.
“We’ve been busy,” Pocock said. “In particular, I can say that we are here to meet the need of anybody who walks through our doors. Our doors have been open for a long time and will continue to be open.”
The organization recently finished up its Tools for School program, providing backpacks filled with school supplies for children and families in Lacombe and surrounding municipalities. This year, 109 filled backpacks were provided as opposed to 69 during last year’s program.
Sip ‘n Savour runs from 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 21st – tickets are currently on sale, are $50 and can be purchased at the FCSS office, Cilantro and Chive or Chateau Wine and Spirits.
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