Funds are important but fun comes first, says April Simard.
Simard, Community Engagement and Events Manager for Stepping Stones Crisis Centre, hopes to set fundraising records at this year’s Festival of Peace gala. But once you have your ticket and you’re in the hall, she says, you’re in for a great time.
“We just want our community to come out. You don’t have to have a big cheque book to come and have a good time, celebrate our achievements, and show that support for what we do,” she said.
Festival of Peace was the biggest fundraiser for Stepping Stones and its prior incarnation as Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre for
years, but the organization’s board put a hold on it in 2017.
“Last year we brought it back for the first time since 2017, and we had a very successful year,” Simard said. “We had a really good turnout and we ended up raising close to 48,000 from that event, which of course supports our programs and services. This year we’re at it again, bringing back year two of its resurrection and hoping for the same.”
The theme this year is the peaceful beauty of the northern lights. “It’s a winter glow, so we’re inspired by the beauty of the northern lights. It ties into our mission, going from darkness to light,” Simard said.
“We want people to know that even in the darkest of night, there is light. We all are under the same sky sharing that experience.”
The dinner will be catered by Joly’s Fine Cuisine, and music will again be provided by popular Edmonton party band We’re One World. Entertainment will include a seven-foot caribou puppet and other clever puppet creations.
Although Stepping Stones receives core funding from the Alberta government, fundraising efforts enable the organization to create programs beyond its mandate as a shelter.
“The programming that we’re able to put in place in this building is all because of the events that April has in the community, the community engagement, and the sponsorship that we get,” said CEO Kim Reed.
“That programming includes Wholesome Beginnings, which allows our food services to offer the women here what nutritional needs look like throughout the entirety of their lives,” Reed said. “There’s even a culinary program that’s teaching some women culinary skills that could become employment opportunities.
“It’s kind of whatever need is presented. These additional dollars give us the opportunity to create that programming in the building to build the skills that the women need to be successful out in the community.”
Prevention efforts also rely on fundraising. “We are very short in the way of funds for prevention, which is kind of an ironic thing because that’s what our main mission almost should be,” Simard said. “And the programs our outreach team provides, because not everyone needs to stay physically in our building to take advantage of our services.Those shortfalls are often covered by our fundraising.”
And Stepping Stones supports men fleeing violence too, Reed adds.
“If it’s emergency stays in a hotel, if it’s that ongoing individual support and connecting to community services, that’s often supported by our events and the people of our community,” she said.
Please see the Winter Glow ad in this week’s Respect for more information.
