On harvest day, 2000 Club member Rob Tompsett brought out the club’s new barbeque, despite the wind, and cooked up some burgers for the guys, donated by Tundra Oil and Gas.
In the spring, donated seed was sown and periodically sprayed by Sunaert Farms and Goethals Farms, who, according to organizer Doug Morningstar, have been invaluable this year for their donation of time and resources.
Since 2017, the Deloraine 2000 Club Half Section Fundraiser has had a huge hand in making community projects happen. It all started when members of the 2000 Club were curling in Souris and heard about a fundraiser they were doing to fund community projects.
“We were looking for something that would get us more than the $1,000-$1,500 that the steak-frys were getting us, so we decided it would be a good idea,” said Morningstar.
The great thing about these types of fundraisers is that anyone can contribute, farmer or not, and the amount raised is generally much higher than typical fundraisers. Local farm businesses like chemical and seed dealers often donate in the form of cost-sharing, and anyone with $100 can “purchase” an acre to help offset these costs and receive a receipt that makes their donation tax deductible. Others, like the aforementioned farmers, can choose to donate their time and machinery.
According to Morningstar, Deloraine and surrounding communities have been incredibly receptive and contribute every year. For example, last year all three local machine dealers helped take the crop off, and several “acres” are always sold.
“We try not to get the same guys every year, and harvest is a busy time so it can feel like everything is last minute,” said Morningstar, “but it always seems to come together.”
This year, all funds raised will be split between the Deloraine Golf Course and the Handi-Van.
There is no word on how much has been earned this year, but if it is anything like the previous years, the total could be at least six figures.
In the first three years (2017-2019), the fundraiser was able to contribute $263,000 to the building of the new Deloraine Community Complex, and in 2020 and 2021 an additional $157,000 was split between community projects. From 2022 to 2024, funds went to the new pool in Deloraine, the Tundra Oil & Gas Aquatic Centre, to the tune of $291,000.
Over eight years, a total of $711,000 has been raised for Deloraine community projects.
“It’s pretty good, but we would really like to hit the million-dollar mark before we stop,” said Morningstar.
Judging by those totals, that number should be very achievable.
by JACQUIE MAYNARD, Recorder staff