Pincher Creek fundraisers held for flood relief

The Valcourt family felt it was important to support flood relief efforts
Pictured in the foreground left to right Embree, Teyla, Joshua, and Stephen.
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Wednesday July 3 was a great day for the people in Pincher Creek to help with flood relief efforts.   Less than two weeks after the waters had started to rise throughout southern Alberta, the immediate disaster situation has subsided enough that people could say 'What can I do?'

Emergency Services volunteer and training opportunities are available:
Call 403-627-5333

This community has expressed willingness to help those that have had their lives affected by this tragedy.  Swiss Alpine Restaurant and Young Parkyn McNab LLP Chartered Accountants (YPM) on Main Street held benefit lunches, while Mrs. P's Coffee Corner at the Ranchland Mall continues to have donations come in.

Young Parkyn and McNab (YPM) barbecue fundraiser

The green space at the corner of Main Street and Bev McLachlin Drive was filled with an ever changing line up, and 8 of the YPM accounting staff were kept busy serving hot dogs, burgers, pop and chips to over 200 people.

Lynn, Karly, Jim, and Kevin are just a few of the staff.

Jim Monteith and Kevin Burke manned the grill for the crowd that kept them busy until close to 2:30 pm.  "I want to thank everyone that came out to support this," said Monteith. The rest of the staff echoed that sentiment.  "We care about the community," said Karly Patrick, who came down to help from their Lethbridge office.  "This affects so many around the province, and people have been very generous here today,"  said Patrick.   100% of the $1,463 raised from that fundraiser will go to the Canadian Red Cross Flood relief efforts.

Early at the Swiss Alpine

Marie Harder, Tricia McClain and Laurie Parker were outside the Swiss Alpine Restaurant at lunch to sell tickets for the beef on a bun fundraiser to benefit the victims of the flood in High River.  Antique cars and fire engine #12 were parked on the lot to draw the eyes, and people indoors.

Marie Harder, Tricia McClain, Laurie Parker

"People have been very generous," said McClain, who extended her fundraising until after 7 pm.  "I have to, people are still donating," she said, laughing.  McClain says she hopes to raise more that $5,000 dollars.  Goods were donated as well as money, and the use of a cube van to transport everything that is collected to the people who are in need in High River.  McClain was very appreciative of  all the businesses and organizations that helped, and the individuals that came by and supported the cause.

Mrs. P's Coffee Corner in the Ranchland Mall is owned by Loretta Packham.  She has been collecting money for the victims in High River since the June 19, the day after the flood waters devastated the town.

 Loretta Packham, a.k.a. Mrs. P.

Packham and her staff had seen pictures on Facebook and the news, and felt they had to do something.  The next morning Packham made a sign, put up a collection box, and had a card for people to sign.  "Speaking on behalf of my business, I was honoured to know that there is so much love and care in this town," said Packham.  She estimated that there is close to $900 collected at this point.

Packham will continue to collect money until Friday afternoon on July 5th, when she will give the money that has been collected to the Lions Club to administer, of behalf of Mrs. P's Coffee Corner, staff, friends, and generous clientele.

Taylor and Kassi Wells "We're here to support the cause."

Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village summer staff supporting the cause