BONNYVILLE – Participants and donors who took part in the Bonnyville Health Foundation’s first Dry February Challenge helped raise more than $10,000 for the Bonnyville Healthcare Centre.
In the month of February, the health foundation challenged members from across the Lakeland to go alcohol-free to improve overall health, while also raising money for Bonnyville hospital’s greatest areas of need.
“We had 21 registered participants who collectively raised $10,103 in pledges,” said Dawn Weber, the executive director of the Bonnyville Health Foundation.
As a foundation, the committee's goal is to assist in raising funds that go towards “local Mental Health initiatives, improving the quality of seniors' care, creating an inclusive healing environment regarding Indigenous Health, and developing state-of-the-art emergency care.”
Overall, the event turned out to be a great success for the foundation and another dry month challenge is expected to be planned for next year.
“The foundation's fundraising committee is working on a plan for 2023 to make this a bigger event with an option to register individually – or as a team with pledge raising incentives,” she explained.
Even with February being a shorter month, it still presents a number of social challenges for those who participated, as Superbowl Sunday and Valentine's Day are often events associated with consuming alcohol.
Despite the challenge, participants noted the benefits of abstaining from alcohol and the fun they had reaching out to peers and collecting pledges.
“Hosting a Dry Month fundraising campaign has opened up conversations about its purpose,” Weber said, adding “it is important to acknowledge that dry month campaigns are not intended for individuals struggling with alcoholism or addiction.”
For those who feel as though they are struggling with alcoholism or addiction, you can find support by calling the 24-hour Alberta Addiction Hotline at 1-866-332-2322.
