MIDALE — Hundreds of southeast Saskatchewan residents turned out to support the heart of the Midale community this year.
The 29th annual M.O.R.E. (Midale Organization for Recreational Expansion) 2000 Inc. fundraising auction on April 13 at the Harry 'O Memorial Arena saw record-breaking participation and fundraising amount, which will benefit the Midale rink.
Midale recreation director Lois Fever said the event was great.
"We had a fantastic year. Amidst an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, our M.O.R.E. 2000 board proudly announces the remarkable success of our 29th annual auction. It's a testament to the unwavering support and solidarity of our community," Fever said.
"We had a record-breaking turnout of over 340 attendees. The event surpassed all of our expectations, raising an astounding $120,000 for our arena."
She noted that the arena, built by local farmers years ago, is in serious need of maintenance and some upgrades. They are currently installing a dehumidifier at the arena to be able to extend the hockey season and help people feel a bit more comfortable in the stands. They also plan on painting the facility and getting some work done at the ice plant and with brine lines. There are also two shower areas to be upgraded.
In the meantime, the arena will be used for pickleball, roller skating, some seniors' programs and more throughout summer, Fever said.
The fundraising night saw a last man standing contest, in which raffle tickets were sold in advance, one per person, and the owner of the very last ticket drawn during the event took home $1,000. Fever said they've hosted this draw for a few years now, and it always generates some excitement, setting the stage for "an unforgettable evening filled with camaraderie and generosity".
The live auction offered bidders a variety with 80 items. Another 140 items were donated for the silent auction. The Dutch auction offered a chance to win one of three prizes: a $5,000 Room by Room Furniture package, $5,000 WestJet vouchers, and a $1,000 cash prize.
The night was a success thanks to the many sponsors, donors and volunteers involved, Fever noted.
"Pro Canada [West Energy], our esteemed table sponsor, played a pivotal role as the supper sponsor with John Adderley's invaluable support, and Tammy's Homestyle Cooking ensured we had a memorable dining experience; the food was delicious," Fever said.
She added that the next M.O.R.E. fundraiser will mark a special anniversary and will be even bigger and better than this year.
"People should mark their calendars for April 12 of next year as our M.O.R.E. 2000 prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in grand style. The date promises to be a milestone occasion for us, with a few surprises we've got up our sleeves, and rest assured it will be bigger and better than ever before. So, we just want to invite people to join us for the next chapter of this journey with our community rink here," Fever said.
"And on behalf of the M.O.R.E. 2000 board, we would like to thank all of our donors, sponsors, volunteers and attendees, and extend so much gratitude to everybody who had a part in all this."
