For the first time ever, the newly rescheduled and renamed charity check stop fundraiser organized by the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society offered motorists the ability to donate by credit and debit cards.
Sari Werezak, GNP’s executive director, said the Town of Sundre loaned a mobile debit and credit card processing machine to facilitate the effort to raise funds for GNP programs, including Sundre Santas, which she called beneficial in a society that is becoming cashless.
“If you’re like me, you don’t have change in the car,” she added.
Almost $11,000 was raised, which she called “very much in line with previous years.”
Additionally, the volunteers, who enjoyed the weather, welcomed the new date, she said.
“And it was still light out when they finished,” she added.
In all, 16 volunteers, including four members of the Sundre Fire Department, an off-duty RCMP officer as well as the peace officer, two town councillors and some GNP board members spent Friday, Oct. 18 soliciting donations from passing motorists on Main Avenue.
“Many of them said, ‘Sign me up for next year,'" she said, expressing her gratitude not only for the volunteers but also for the community’s support.