ESTEVAN — The Estevan Wildlife Federation hosted its 38th annual fundraising dinner, raffle and auction on April 6. The event brought in close to $30,000, which will help with the organization's many projects and undertakings.
A fishing trip for four at Thompson's Resort in northern Saskatchewan was among the many great prizes and auction items, supplied by local businesses and individuals, helping raise funds for the EWF.
Monica Eagles, who co-chairs the dinner and auction alongside Kendra Lainton, said in their message that they appreciate the generous support of Estevan and the surrounding area.
"Without the numerous cash and merchandise donations, this function would not be possible," the committee said. "Your support will help the Estevan Wildlife Federation carry out our many programs."
Many people turned out to enjoy the night and support the EWF's initiatives.
"Overall, the night went really well, it's always so much fun. We had a great turnout again, and the whole night really wouldn't be possible without such awesome support from the community. Companies and individuals are always so generous to us. We don't have the final totals yet, but we expect to raise close to $30,000 which will go a long way to helping us with our various projects," Eagles said.
About 30 items, donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals, were available for bidding through a silent auction at the Wylie-Mitchell Hall that night. Thirty-five more exciting and often unique pieces were up for the live auction. Bid items included décor, fishing, hunting and camping gear, silver bars, Estevan Bruins' tickets, a paddle board tandem load of gravel, a spotting scope, tanned silver fox and mitts, jewellery, a firepit and more.
The evening also saw an ice shack raffle, two raffle tables with 26 items each, a booze buggy raffle, jewellery raffle, a pick of the litter draw, a 50/50 draw and mystery key item draw. Six guns were on display for a ping-pong ball auction.
"The ping-pong ball auction is always fun and exciting, and the 50/50 winner took home over $1,000. We also raffled off a pop-up ice shack and some beautiful jewellery," Eagles said.
The committee also took time to remember a special member, Athena Hryhoriw, who passed away in January at the age of 34.
"Hryhoriw was an adventurous, world-travelling city girl who got the taste of the great outdoors and fell in love with a very different kind of adventure," the committee said. She enjoyed fishing, capturing nature and wildlife, and always helped at the EWF awards banquets, fundraisers and camps, they added.
The Estevan Wildlife Federation runs several programs throughout the year, and the funds will help with the expenses.
"We have our 20th annual walleye tournament coming up on May 11, our youth camp from Aug. 8-11, the Fish in Schools program, maintaining the Rafferty Marina, our clubhouse and shooting ranges, as well as handing out awards to showcase our members' achievements," Eagles said.
"Things have been going well with the EWF, and we always look forward to hearing from our members. We have our meetings the first Wednesday of every month, and all our members are invited to come," she added.
The 2024 dinner committee co-chairs also thanked everyone who made the event a success.
"Kendra and I want to say a huge thank you to the businesses and individuals that support the EWF fundraiser every year. We really would not be able to do what we do without them. And thank you to our committee members and volunteers who helped plan the night and made it run so smoothly. See you all next year," Eagles said.
