Cochrane Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) and the United Way are hosting a fundraising event on Oct. 14, and they hope Cochranites will help ‘Give a Little Love.’
The family-friendly event, part of the Give a Little Love campaign, will feature displays and hands-on activities showcasing various local non-profit organizations.
In addition to FCSS, groups that will benefit include Cochrane and Area Victim Services, Cochrane Immigrant Services Committee, Cochrane Society for Housing Options, Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta, Seniors on the Bow, Big Hill Haven and Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area.
Nicole Copses of FCSS said this will be the first time they’ve tried an event like this.
“This is our very first year, we’re trying it out. One of the important aspects of this is that every dollar we raise in Cochrane stays in Cochrane – it stays directly with us, and we give it out as grant dollars,” she said.
She said some of the activities will illustrate the importance of the services provided, like one called “Wrinkles in the Heart” put on by Big Hill Haven, which shows how domestic violence affects people.
And there will be fun things for the kids to do, including board games, crafts, and cotton candy.
Cochrane FCSS and the United Way of Calgary and Area have a formal partnership agreement, whereby the United Way provides annual funding and the FCSS Advisory Board researches and assesses issues in the community to ensure donations are distributed to local non-profit organizations that provide programs addressing the social well-being of individuals and families.
Over the last five years, the United Way has provided over $365,500 to local organizations working to address complex issues such as poverty, mental health, social isolation, domestic violence, intergenerational trauma and food security.
As part of their agreement with the United Way, the FCSS is required to hold an annual fundraiser to increase the funds available to local groups.
The event runs from 3:30 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot outside the FCSS building at 209 2nd Ave.
For more information about the organizations or to donate, visit cochrane.ca/unitedway or call 403-851-2250.
