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Holiday campaign adds fifth charity this year

The Okotoks Western Wheel is expanding the number of charities it supports with its annual Western Wheel Cares campaign to five this Christmas. The campaign kicks off Nov. 1 and donations will be accepted through Dec. 31.
The Okotoks Western Wheel’s Christmas charity campaign will support five Foothills charities this year.
The Okotoks Western Wheel’s Christmas charity campaign will support five Foothills charities this year.

The Okotoks Western Wheel is expanding the number of charities it supports with its annual Western Wheel Cares campaign to five this Christmas.

The campaign kicks off Nov. 1 and donations will be accepted through Dec. 31.

This year Western Wheel Cares is supporting the Sheep River Health Trust, the Foothills Country Hospice, the Okotoks Food Bank, the Magic of Christmas and the Rowan House Emergency Shelter.

“So many charitable organizations rely heavily on donations and fundraising,” said Matt Rockley, Western Wheel publisher. “When I think of the importance of the organizations that the donations go to it really isn’t a decision to help out, just a necessary action.”

Western Wheel Cares has become a Christmas tradition. The support from Western Wheel readers and the Foothills community has been incredible. Last year, the campaign raised $34,137 and we’re looking to beat it.

The campaign is also poised to cross the $100,000 mark, after raising $94,907 in three years.

“It makes us feel really good to help people give back to the community through the Wheel Cares fundraising campaign,” said Rockley. “Over 120 individuals or groups donated through Wheel Cares last year and it is heartwarming to see that level of generosity from the community. One hundred per cent of the donations that are collected are provided to the charities and we are extremely proud of that.”

With all the economic and fiscal challenges right now, Rockley said this is an important year to support charities and organizations working to help people in the Foothills.

“This is a difficult time for many from a financial perspective and I feel that Wheel Cares is very important this year.”

What sets the Wheel Cares campaign apart is, with a single donation supporters are able to help a number of groups working to support residents in Okotoks and the foothills community at large. The Western Wheel is covering all administrative costs and the total sum donated will be evenly split between the charities involved.

The food bank intends to put donations into its emergency hamper program and to help with costs for its adopt a family Christmas hamper program.

The hospice is planning to use Wheel Cares donations to cross a few things off its wish list, including casters for all eight patient beds, a set of bumper pads to keep patients from sliding out of bed, a sling for a mechanical lift, repair vinyl flooring in the main hallway,

The Magic of Christmas intends to use the funds to provide gifts and food to families it visits during the Christmas holidays.

The Rowan House plans to put funds will go towards the Branches Preventative education program, which includes school presentations and its Healthy Relationship Group.

The Sheep River Health Trust will put Western Wheel Cares donations towards its two major projects this year, renovation of the tub room at Oilfields General Hospital and child-friendly initiatives at the Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre.

A donation to Western Wheel Cares also makes the perfect gift at Christmas time.

“Something that we want to draw attention to is the option of making a donation in someone’s name instead of a traditional Christmas present,” said Rockley. “For these situations we prepare a certificate stating that a donation has been made on their behalf.”

The Western Wheel is holding a Donate to Win contest where businesses that donate a minimum of $100 are entered in a draw to win a free full page ad in the Western Wheel, valued at approximately $1,400, sometime in December.

The Western Wheel is also host a fundraising event in its office during Okotoks Light Up festivities on Nov. 20.

For more information on Wheel Cares contact Gayle Wolf at 403-938-6397 or [email protected]

To participate, call the Western Wheel office Monday to Friday from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. (403-938-6397) and make a donation using your credit card. We also accept debit, cash and cheques (payable to 'Western Wheel Cares'), either dropped off at the office, #9 McRae Street or mailed to Box 150, Okotoks, AB T1S 2A2 (please do not mail cash). Or visit www.westernwheel.com to donate using Paypal.

All donations of $10 or more will receive a 2015 official tax receipt at the end of the campaign.

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