ESTEVAN — The Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre (EEYFRC) launched its Trip of the Month fundraiser to support ages six-11 years programming and building an outdoor play space.
The EEYFRC receives core funding specifically for ages zero through five years and is year over year. Right now, the EEYFRC is working towards two exciting goals: programming for ages six-11, and an outdoor play space.
"The funds raised through the Trip of the Month fundraiser will allow us to open our centre longer, provide a wider range of programming for families in the Estevan area, and allow us to serve the community better," says executive director Sydney Wanner. "We are seeing over 1,000 people in our centre each month, and these funds will provide even more opportunities for families in our area."
The fundraiser has only 400 tickets available and there are 25 chances to win over the year. All winners will be put back into the drum for each draw, meaning people can win more than once.
Tickets are $120 each and can be purchased at the EEYFRC in-person or over the phone. Tickets will be sold from Dec. 1-March 7, 2024, or until they sell out. There is an early bird draw on Feb. 16, 2024, with a prize of $500.
Draws will run monthly on the second Friday of each month, airing live on Facebook with a second-place prize of $120, and the first-place prize being the Trip of the Month, or a 75 per cent travel voucher or $1,000 cash.
The first-place trips are as follows:
• March – San Francisco, California: roundtrip airfare from Calgary for two adults, four nights' hotel accommodation at Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf or similar, and taxes.
• April – Victoria, B.C.: roundtrip airfare for two adults from Regina, Saskatoon, or Calgary to Victoria, three nights' hotel accommodation at the Inn at Laurel Point or similar, and taxes.
• May – $1,000 travel voucher.
• June – Roughrider package: four tickets to a regular season Roughrider game in Regina, one nights' hotel accommodation with two rooms at the Residence Inn by Marriott Regina or similar, and taxes.
• July – Rivera Maya, Mexico: roundtrip airfare for two adults from Regina, Saskatoon, or Calgary to Cancun, seven nights' hotel accommodation at the all-inclusive Barcelo Maya Beach or similar, return airport transfers, and taxes.
• August- $1,000 travel voucher
• September – Las Vegas, Nevada: roundtrip airfare for two adults from Calgary to Las Vegas, three nights' hotel accommodation at the Flamingo or similar, and taxes.
• October – Vancouver, B.C.: roundtrip airfare for two adults from Regina, Saskatoon or Calgary, three nights' hotel accommodation at the Blue Horizon Hotel or similar, and taxes.
• November – Disneyland: roundtrip airfare for a family of four (two adults and two children) from Calgary to Los Angeles, seven nights' hotel accommodation at the Castle Inn & Suites or similar, return airport transfers, and taxes.
• December – Nashville, Tennessee: roundtrip airfare for two adults from Calgary to Nashville, four nights' hotel accommodation at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel or similar, and taxes.
• January – $1,000 travel voucher
• February – Toronto Blue Jays game package: roundtrip airfare for two adults from Saskatchewan, three nights' hotel accommodation at the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown or similar, two tickets to one regular season Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre, and taxes.
The EEYFRC was founded in 2002 by the Estevan Council for Prevention of Child Abuse, along with community members. The EEYFRC's mission is to create a warm, safe community for families which will support children and caregivers through play-based early learning, family wellness and support, caregiver education, and information.
For 20 years, the EEYFRC was funded through grants, corporate and community donations, such as Estevan United Way, and fundraisers. In 2021, the EEYFRC partnered with the Â鶹´«Ã½AV East Public Cornerstone School Division. This established core funding for programming and resources for ages zero to five.
The EEYFRC is located at 255 Spruce Drive in Estevan.