The Battlefords Trade Education Centre has started fundraising efforts to pay their share of a new day facility, slated for construction next year.
The organization provides support services to individuals with disabilities, trains them in new skills, and assists them in their pursuit of independence. BTEC's wide range of volunteer-run programs include painting programs, surveyor stake-painting programs and card-making programs. Each of these provides the disabled involved with the organization with meaningful work and BTEC with funding to continue its programs and eventually purchase a new space.
A typical day at BTEC sees a few realist paintings produced, along with a few abstract works, a bundle of birthday cards and 600 painted surveyor's stakes. The birthday cards are sold to Scott Campbell Dodge, and the surveyor stakes are sold to local construction projects. The paintings, however, are made for sale at BTEC's Art Show and Sale, which is taking place at their location at 702-102nd St. from 2 to 7 p.m. Nov. 25.
BTEC also has an arrangement with SARCAN to fundraise. Anyone interested can leave their bottles at the back of the SARCAN building and explain to the staff that they are being left there for BTEC. The arrangement lets those interested in returning their bottles skip the line and also makes them eligible for a tax receipt if the donation is more than $50. In return, BTEC receives money for the new facility.
In May 2011, the provincial government provided $2 million towards a new building for the organization, which currently operates out of the former Colonel Otter Armoury at 702 102nd St. To purchase a new space, BTEC has to raise $1.3 million more. It is hoped that most of the funds will be raised in the next year.
