Masquerade fundraiser celebrates BPCF’s 20th anniversary

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Masquerade fundraiser celebrates BPCF’s 20th anniversary

Details: Published on Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Photo by Kira Paterson. Lynda Lowry and Ivan Traill got into the spirit of things during a recent episode of Coffee Chat to promote the masquerade fundraiser.

By Kira Paterson

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

Beautiful Plains Community Foundation (BPCF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The foundation raises money to support organizations in Neepawa, Brookdale, Lansdowne, Langford, Rosedale and Glenella. To date, BPCF has distributed over $1.4 million to different community organizations. Last year alone, over $140,000 in funds was doled out.

Right now, the foundation has $3.2 million invested, and they use the interest and returns generated from that pot to give out on a yearly basis. “We’re not a huge foundation,” said Jane Goudie, president of BPCF, “But you can’t scoff at $3.2 million.” BPCF receives grant applications from different community organizations that need funding.

Recent projects the foundation has funded include the climbing wall at Hazel M. Kellington School, the new park in Kellwood and the barbeque area at the Viscount Cultural Centre. “It’s for the extras,” Goudie said, “Because it’s not really an extra, it’s sort of the polish on things.”

The more money that the foundation collects, the more they will be able to give out each year; to raise more money, they host several events throughout the year and participate in different fundraising challenges.

This year, the foundation is hosting a special event for their 20th anniversary on Nov. 7. The event is a masquerade dance; those attending can dress up in costume if they want to and masks will be provided. It will go from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am at the Yellowhead Centre hall. There will be music, champagne and appetizers throughout the night. “It’s not a huge fundraiser; we would like to make some money, but it’s more of an awareness for the community, to say ‘Here’s the foundation,’” said Goudie. Tickets are available at the BPCF office at 487 Walker Ave., Beyond the Garden Gate and Harris Pharmacy.

Other things going on this year with BPCF include the 24 Hour Giving Challenge in November, an NHL hat auction in March and the Thomas Sill Foundation Challenge that they are accepting donations for until September of 2016.

You can find more information about what BPCF is involved in on their Facebook page, their website, www.beautifulplainscf.ca, or in the “Did you know?” features that will appear in the Neepawa Press every month throughout the year.

Donations can be made online or at the BPCF office, and receipts will be made out to the giver for tax purposes. “Money comes from the people who live in this area, were raised in this area or went to school in this area and they thought ‘Okay, yes I want to give back to the community,’” said Goudie. “It’s all about giving.”