SUBMITTED PHOTO - Mackenzie Porter and fiancee Jake Etheridge are seen performing during the Stay at Home Gala online Saturday night.
The goal was $25,000, but Hatters stepped up and doubled what organizers of Saturday’s Stay at Home Gala had hoped for.
Highlighted by one incredible $15,000 donation, the evening of online entertainment will go a long way to helping charities in southeastern Alberta.
“It was a massive moment,” said Trevor Moore, who emceed the local part of the event. “Even without that $15,000 donation, we still crush our goal.
“What a time to be part of southeastern Alberta.”
The name of the person who gave $15,000 will remain anonymous, as the foundation’s equally thankful for that sum as all of the $25 tickets bought to watch the likes of Mackenzie Porter, Jay Bowcott, Snakes and the Riot, and Lyle Rebbeck entertain. The livestream maxed out at 160 viewers, though that number doesn’t include any screen where more than one person was watching.
“I find this area, we just get things done,” said Moore. “You look at the various (charity efforts), we just have a habit of getting things done. We’re that nice size of community where we have a great amount of access to resources and big enough we’re not tapping the resources all the time, but small enough everyone feels connected in some way.”
The money will go further than the $50,118.05 that was officially raised for the foundation’s COVID-19 response fund thanks to announcements by both the provincial and federal governments. Just how much more money will come is as yet unknown, but the key is that local charities need help in a big way.
Stay at Home was initially done in Kelowna but ballooned to a nationwide event including 22 cities. Those who tuned in via Zoom saw a national component with speaker Hayley Wickenheiser and musical acts Hunter Brothers and Once a Tree. Then Moore took over to host the local segment, which included star act Porter, who performed from Nashville alongside fiancee Jake Etheridge.
“In less than two weeks, an amazing group of volunteers created a unique event – and our region responded full force,” said CFSEA executive director Chris Christie in a press release. “The success of this event reflects the care and compassion of folks in S.E. Alberta!”
The combined totals of the 22 city events was nearly a half-million dollars. And the fundraising doesn’t have to end with the gala, which also had an online auction attached to it. Donations made until May 31 will be eligible for the provincial enhancement fund – visit cfsea.ca for more information.