A fundraiser that ran for the month of August at the Super A in Battleford has resulted in a $2,204.12 cheque toward a new building for the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre.
Monday, the cheque was handed over by Aaron and Charity Janzen, who took over as owners on Aug. 25 from Aaron's former employers Tim and Pat Hancock.
"It's amazing," said Aaron of the community support shown for the cause. Even customers coming in to the store more than once a day participated every time, he said.
BTEC board chair Julian Stelmaschuk also said it was amazing.
"It's amazing where the cheques come from, sometimes from the least expected places," said Stelmaschuk. "There's a real push by the community, individuals and organizations, to enter and help with funds."
Program co-ordinator Mona Leece said, "The community has been really helping raise money and we thank you, this is great."
She added the Super A fundraiser made $600last year, and this year went so well the staff set a goal of $2,000.
"Of course we couldn't have done it without the support of the customers," said Janzen, who has been working at Super A for several years in the meat department.
Next on the fundraising agenda is the annual art show and sale featuring art by clients of BTEC. All proceeds from the Nov. 29 annual art show and sale will go to the BTEC building fund, said Leece. Last year's event made $8,000.
On Feb. 9, she added, the third annual Mardi Gras will take place.
Stelmaschuk said the first Mardi Gras raised $12,000 and the second one topped $32,000. It was sold out.
If you want tickets, get them early, said Leece. "Hopefully we'll start selling them in December, maybe sooner," she said.
BTEC, an organization dedicated to providing programs and services for the intellectually disabled in the Battlefords, reported at their recent annual meeting that more than $460,000 has been raised so far toward the $3 million plus project. The provincial government has pledged $2 million.
The new building is to be located on the corner of Railway Avenue and 105th Street, replacing their aging facility at the old armoury building, which is now 101 years old.
