There’s rarely an issue of the 51°µÍø where our pages don’t include at least one story about a fundraiser for a non-profit organization and, each week, as we learn how much money was raised, we’re astounded by the depth of Jasper’s pockets.
In this week’s issue, we reported on the storytelling night to raise funds for the relocation of a Syrian refugee family to Jasper. That event raised nearly $6,000.
We also reported on the Diva-Licious fundraiser, which raised $1,800 toward the Jasper Pride Festival. Last week, we reported on the Movember Gala, which raked in upwards of $19,000 for cancer-related charities. The week before that, we reported on a new book that raised more than $5,000 in an online crowd-sourcing campaign, and a yoga fundraiser that raised $600, also for Jasper’s Syrian family.
That’s nearly $33,000 raised in our community in just three weeks, and all of this happened before the season of giving even began.
December is the month when people are known to be the most giving of their hard-earned cash. Statistics show that Canadian charities receive 34 per cent of their annual donation revenues during the month of December alone. But, it would seem, judging by Jasper’s penchant for charity, all 12 months of the year are months of giving. No matter the time of year, we see businesses donate their venues, as well as silent auction items, and community members buy tickets and generously bid at the auction table.
But, we also have people who give their time, and it’s because of those selfless folks that all of this is possible.
It’s Jasper’s hearty volunteer force that organizes the dozens of fundraisers that take place each year and ensures the health of our community.
We see this with Santas Anonymous this month, as it hosts fundraisers to ensure that all of Jasper’s families have a Christmas dinner and some gifts this holiday season, and with the museum board, which is hosting its annual Festival of Trees fundraiser to keep the museum operating for another year.
Volunteers throw the events and Jasperites show up to support them—tickets for the Santa Train sold out within minutes of going on sale this year, helping to raise funds for food hampers and gifts.
On Dec. 16, the museum will host a wine and cheese event, and, no doubt, the community will be there in force to bid on the dozens of beautifully decorated trees in the festival.
That’s just how Jasper rolls.
As we kick off this month of giving, we’d like to say we’re proud to be a part of a community that doesn’t just give during the month of December, but makes giving a year round activity.
