Angels Within Us holds fundraising bash

Chris Davis and Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice
With additional photographs by 4-H journalists Thomas Gilmore and Cooper Hagley

Auctioneer
Bryan MacKenzie

The second-annual Angels Within Us fundraising event was held at the Pincher Creek Community Hall on the evening of December 3. A fantastic steak dinner with all the fixings was provided, there was a silent auction with many goods and services provided by local businesses, Kieth Foster of Westcastle Motors donated a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, worth more than $18,000, as the big raffle/auction draw, and there were trips and getaway adventures up for auction as well. There were also many door prizes. "A lot of items were donated for both the live and silent auctions, and we had some great door prizes donated as well," said Michelle Duncan, one of the event organizers. "Dean Kennedy also made some very generous donations."

The tables were extravagantly and uniquely decorated for the event. Linda Vance won first place for her design, with Shannon Crawford as runner up.

The Silver Reins Light Horse 4-H Club
C. Davis photo

The event began in earnest as Reverend Brent Woodard said grace. After that folks lined up at the buffet table, and the Silver Reins Light Horse 4-H Club began circulating, clearing tables and delivering desserts. Beverages were served by the Pincher Creek Old-timers Hockey team. Barry's crew was busy in the kitchen.

Miss Rodeo Pincher Creek 2011 Jodie Dunbar &
Little Miss Rodeo Pincher Creek Chelsea Stokke
were also in attendance, spreading smiles and grace.
C. Davis photo

Dennis and Shannon Robin, proud owners of
a new Chevrolet Cruze
C. Davis photo

Then it was time for the auction. Frank Jenkins and his Fort Macleod Auction staff did a superb job of maximizing profit in quick order. "If I'm talking too fast for you, just put up your hand," he told the amused crowd. Raffle tickets for the car were auctioned off. Lorne and Robin MacKenzie won the car raffle, and then chose to take half of the proceeds of the auction, donating the car back to the Angels, at which point it was auctioned off in the usual manner. Shannon and Dennis Robin, of "Shootin' the Breeze" and Robin and Co.won that auction. Shanon was elated, and intends to use the car as the official "Shootin' the Breeze" vehicle.

C. Davis photo

After all the auctions were concluded, it was time to party in earnest, which many attendees did, dancing into the wee hours.

"You should be dancing, yeah..."
C. Davis photo

Nascent 4-H journalists Thomas Gilmore and Cooper Hagley volunteered their services as photographers to the Voice, and many of the photos in the following slideshow were taken by them. Good work, boys.