Angels Within Us 2014 a great success

The hall between dinner and auction
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

Angels Within Us held their 5th annual Supper and Auction on Saturday, November 22 at the Pincher Creek Community Hall.  The event is the major fundraiser for Angels Within Us, a foundation that helps families in crisis within Pincher Creek and area.  Over 370 people attended. The evening started with steak dinner, then progressed into a live auction, then the silent auction items were tallied, and finally there was an area cleared for dancing to the Chevelles, who entertained the crowd late into the night.

A member of the board said that Angels Within Us raised about $75,000.00 from the evening.

Angels Within Us President Sherry Mackenzie

Angels Within Us President Sherry Mackenzie was effusive in her thanks to everyone involved with the evening, and appeared to be humbled by the events very evident success. She introduced her board members, and was the first to point out that their spouses shouldered a lot of work by proxy.  Mackenzie was expansive in her praise of the board and the work they do to make it all happen. She thanked the donors and sponsors, volunteers, and the many people who purchased something at the event.

"We had a wonderful year with the success of last years event," said Mackenzie.  "The success of these events  always leads us to the ability to help as many families as we can.  This year, we have helped ten families.  Some of those were big, and some of those were the smallest little thing, but it is amazing what it does for a family to know a whole community is behind them, and wants to help them."

Silver Reins 4-H Club were hard at work throughout the event

"I don't know some of these people, and some of them, I do know," she said as she explained that sometimes money is not always the best answer to a problem, and the organization tries to strive for best answers for people.  "You want to do what you can, and sometimes that is the hardest thing, figuring our what you can do to help.  The Angels is a great way, because  the people come up with some pretty creative ideas."

Silent auction tables

After explaining how the organization runs, Mackenzie revved up the crowd to begin the auction.  "We try and throw you a pretty dang good party, and have a pretty dang good meal, and with that we try to raise a fair amount of money, so we never, ever have to say 'no' to anybody.  You have all been so generous, with your donations, and coming here tonight, it all helps." Mackenzie said that every one of the board members consider it a very precious thing to "Walk into that board room and make responsible decisions with the money you have all entrusted us with."

Auctioneer Frank Jenkins

"In every community, there has to be leaders," said auctioneer Frank Jenkins when he stepped up to the microphone.  "Each and every one of you that is out here tonight to support this is a leader in this community, and I would like to congratulate all of you for being here.  That's tremendous, and what community is all about.  You never know when something is going to go wrong in your world."   Jenkins listed financial, emotional, and physical tragedy. "When you have a community like this to back you up... I think it is a very unique community, and this is very special.  I know I am very honoured to be here, have some fun, and raise some money."

Frank Jenkins, Justin Keeley, Grant McNab, Darren Shaw

The very first lot to be auctioned was a 7' X 5' large metal butterfly that was auctioned off by a guest auctioneer. "He is a very good friend of mine, and a a very good friend of this community," said Jenkins, teasing the crowd with a few more moments of anticipation.  "He is a great auctioneer, and Angels came to his side and helped him through some tough times.  It is unbelievable to have Grant McNab here tonight,"  said Jenkins as he introduced Municipal District of Pincher Creek Councillor Grant McNab to the stage.

Grant McNab

"I would like to put out a personal thank you to Angels, from me and my family," said McNab who suffered a stroke in December, 2013.  Angels Within Us helped the family by recognizing the sheer volume of work that had to be accomplished while McNab was incapacitated.  They hired a ranch hand to help run the ranch while he was recuperating. "This is very special.  It is for you, and for me.  Some charities the money goes out of town, and you never see it again.  These are the best people.  They helped us out last winter.  I can't tell you how appreciated it was but it definitely was appreciated by me and my family.  They are the best Angels that we have."

Pincher Creek Oldtimers Hockey Association bartenders

The rest of the live auction was run by Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange, including Allan Lively, Frank Jenkins, Darren Shaw, and Justin Keeley, who is growing his hair to donate to make wigs for children with cancer.

ATB Pincher Creek Branch Manager Adrian Hartman was happy that the donation from the bank of a Golf Package for Paradise Canyon was well received, adding more to the coffers for the Angels Within Us organization.  "I am ecstatic that this evening is making as much money as it is, and that everything is going so well tonight, overall."

"I'm pretty happy, I won what I was bidding on," said Patrick Hochstein who was on the receiving end of the bidding.

Jessica Maunsell's photo booth

This event holds appeal for a lot of people in our town.  Although some individuals and couples came just for fun, many businesses used the event as an opportunity to have a staff Christmas party.  This included the Town of Pincher Creek who had so many tables they received their own section upstairs, next to the 'flashy' photo booth ran by Jessica Maunsell.

Donna McNeely

This would not have been possible without many helping to make things run smoother.  Tammy Kennedy decorated the hall, The Oltimers Hockey Association helped with refreshments, and 4-H Silver Reins were just a few that lent a hand to making the evening run well.

For those that are looking to donate, volunteer, join the board or make a request to Angels Within Us they can talk to a board member, email angelswithinuspc@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page.  You can also mail them at Angels Within Us, Box 911, Pincher Creek, AB, T0K 1W0