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Gala raises thousands for Friendship Centre expansion

On June 10, a Fundraising Gala for the Bonnyville Friendship Centre’s building expansion project racked in nearly $20,000. The Centre has just one year to complete the multi-million dollar retrofit to qualify for a $2 million federal grant.

BONNYVILLE – A black tie event with live music and dance was held on June 10, drawing in an adult only crowd to assist in the fundraising efforts of the Bonnyville Friendship Centre’s building expansion. 

The gala was held to raise funds that will be put toward increasing storage space for perishable items, such as coolers and freezers for the Community Food Bank, said Janet Gobert, the community initiatives coordinator for the Friendship Centre.  

Commercial kitchen equipment will also be needed in the new building for the Community Kitchen, which provides hot lunches Monday through Thursday and will continue to operate even throughout the construction period. 

After receiving confirmation that the Bonnyville centre received a $2 million federal Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples Major Infrastructure grant, the wheels have been put in motion to come up with additional funds needed for the project. 

RELATED STORY: Bonnyville Friendship Centre breaks ground on new multi-million dollar facility 

One of the conditions of the federal grant is that the expansion and retrofit project must be completed within one year. 

So far, the Friendship Centre has raised $300,000 for the project through various fundraisers, events and grant proposals. 

The gala, one of the non-profit's larger fundraisers, contributed close to $20,000 alone, with guests taking part in silent auctions, a 50/50 draw and ticket sales for the formal event.  

“The Bonnyville Friendship Centre was very pleased with the support we received at the Fundraising Gala and would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who made the event a success,” added Gobert.

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