There might be no more decadent auction in Cochrane than the one hosted by the Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre during its annual fundraising gala set for March. 15.
The event, which serves as the centre's primary funding source, features a live cake auction - complete with authentic auctioneers – that has done well in tempting sweet tooths to dish out the dollars.
"Our record cake sold for $2,400," said Laurel Pedersen, the centre's executive director.
Aside from the live auction, there will also be a silent auction and Pedersen said the goal is to raise $45,000 to aid in the centre's operational costs,.
"Our budget is growing this year to $164,000 from $140,000 last year," she said.
Pedersen added the centre manages to keep its costs low serving an average of 65 active clients, representing 270 client visits, thanks to the help of 75 volunteers.
However, as Pedersen and her three staff work to expand services – such as The Place to Call Home major capital program to add a maternity home and independent living suites – more staff have to be added because positions outgrow the scope of volunteers.
With that in mind, Pedersen is asking that anyone wanting to support the A Place to Call Home capital costs contact her separately so the money raised on March. 15 can be directed toward operational costs.
"We're trying to grow into the bigger plan," said Pedersen, adding the centre is also looking to expand the geography of its service delivery.
Ideally, Pedersen said the centre would like to bring its services to Canmore, Banff, Cremona, Bragg Creek and the surrounding rural area.
The centre offers services ranging from options counselling developmental support for the first two years of life, to post abortion grief counselling. Services offered are also not exclusive to women. Some of their clients are men working in a support role with their partners, or accessing counselling services.
The March. 15 gala will be held at the Cochrane Alliance Church beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 or $350 for a table of eight. Dinner this year is being donated by Spray Lake Sawmills.
During the evening attendees will get the opportunity to hear stories from a number of the centre's clients who come from all walks of life.
"Forty to 50 per cent of pregnancies are unplanned and that is when support is needed," said Pedersen.
Tickets are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3910850.
