Donated a total of $5,395 thanks to friend within the community!

St. Martin de Porres grade 5 students raised $1575 through an online art auction so they could give back to charities in need. With the added contributions of $500 from Red Deer & District Community Foundation, and $3320 from Tourism Red Deer and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, there is a total of $5395 that will be dispersed amongst 3 very deserving charities. Each charity received $1798.33!

Tourism Red Deer and the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce joined forces to help Team Canada last fall when the team was forced to isolate in their hotel room for 14 days during their Selection Camp. Since they couldn’t experience our region, one of the ways we helped out was by providing them with a fun “Bob Ross Inspired Paint Night” which is all thanks to our sponsors. We provided them with all the tools and video link and the results were amazing so much we asked Team Canada to donate their paintings for an auction we would host during the World Junior Championship.  The online art auction gained international attention and greatly exceeded expectations with nearly 11 thousand dollars raised for local charities. And here we are today!  Ripple effect…

“The money we raised was all thanks to a team of individuals under the age of 20 who participated in a fun and creative art project, then allowed us to auction off their art to benefit local charities. When deciding which charities would receive a portion of the proceeds we discussed about how amazing it would be if youth in our community would be given the same opportunity and that’s when we discovered the Youth in Philanthropy Program. What else better than to allow youth in our community to do the same and give back to something that is near and dear to them. This program reveals that when we empower and encourage youth to think about the communities greatest needs that they can make a difference at any age.”

Chris Windrim, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce