Everything falling into place for first LFS gala to be a success

By Joe Manio - Lethbridge Herald on April 19, 2025.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDjmanio@lethbridgeherald.com

A perpetual challenge for not-for-profit organizations is funding for their charitable work. In support of its continuing mission, Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) is hosting an inaugural gala called “Spring to Light” on April 25 at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Center, featuring Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist, and author Rick Mercer.
“This is a big step for Lethbridge Family Services in that we are showcasing our services, our story, to a new audience,” said LFS staff member and event organizer Michelle Gallucci. “Our hope is to raise $50,000 for mental health and wellness programming for our clients, especially our Immigrant Services clients who have experienced so much trauma. They need a mental health and wellness Navigator to help them through our healthcare systems.”
Not-for-profit organizations in Canada continually require funding because of the nature of their operations, which often involves providing essential services without the goal of generating profit. This funding is crucial for supporting staff, programs, and operational costs, allowing these organizations to address community needs.
“Tollestrup and Wendy’s have supported LFS for over a decade through our Angel Tree program,” Galluci said of the gala’s main sponsors. “When Sarah Tollestrup and Mitch Arsenault agreed to co-chair the gala, they said ‘we are all in!’ They loved the idea of supporting mental health and wellness for our newcomers as they are big employers of newcomers, including LFS clients.”
Since 1986, LFS has provided highly accredited health and social services to more than 9,000 individuals and families, in more than 30 communities in Southwestern Alberta, through the professional services of more than 400 staff and the support of more than 550 committed volunteers.
LFS provides services through its five core departments of counselling, outreach, and education, DaCapo Disability Services, home services, and immigrant services. All the departments and the organization itself live or die on funding..
Despite relying heavily on government funding, there are limits to how LFS can use it. It can be used for home care services, payroll and other related expenses. However, LFS can’t use government money outside its set scope, like funding new or innovative programs.
“The government pulled back funding for our immigrant and refugee English as a Second Language (ESL) program. If we provide it we have to fund it,” said Galluci.
These funds are raised through grants, continuing business partnerships, private donors (including anonymous donors) and for the first time, gala events like Spring to light, which has its share of secondary sponsors.
“Avonlea Homes, who sit on the Gala committee, have been the biggest Angel Tree supporters we have for eight years,” said Galluci. “Stringam Law, our wine sponsor, has been supporting LFS for decades. Nearly all our Silent Auction donors, Warwick, our print sponsor and Vista Radio, our media sponsor, have been connected with LFS in some way for countless years. New to us is Tompkins Jewelers as our Mystery Box sponsor and Sky and Table/Lethbridge Event Rentals who have shown us flexibility, patience and incredible support.”
The gala will conclude with an appearance by celebrity guest Rick Mercer. He is best known for his CBC Television comedy shows like This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Rick Mercer Report. He has written four books based on content from the shows and the two part memoir consisting of Talking to Canadians (November 2021) and The Road Years (October 2023). Mercer has received more than 25 Gemini Awards for his television work.
“We wanted someone who represented Canada and Rick Mercer’s name came up with the Committee. From there, we were able to connect with his agency and negotiated a very good deal,” said Gallucci.

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