Padnoma Support Services, one of the three beneficiaries of this year's Spring Fling fundraiser, plans to use the money it receives to obtain a vehicle and expand its grocery purchase/delivery service.
The third annual Spring Fling takes place April 20 at the Cow Palace, beginning at 5 p.m. with cocktails, followed by supper, then a program.
In addition to Padnoma, which works with people with disabilities, the other non-profits for which money is being raised via the event are the Olds High School leadership group and Habitat For Humanity-Mountain View chapter.
There's a baseball theme to the event because the three charities will each get five minutes to "pitch" their projects to guests who pay $100 a ticket to attend.
The three charities/non-profits will get 100 per cent of the proceeds. Guests will vote for the people's choice - the winner - which will get $5,000. Runners-up will each receive $2,500.
Canadian Olympic wrestler and former Olds resident Danielle Lappage will also be there to speak to the crowd and mingle with guests.
Currently Padnoma offers its grocery service to a few clients and businesses as well as the legion and the Olds High School home ec. program in conjunction with Westview Co-op and Sobeys, but they'd like to expand it to other community residents.
In some cases, clients phone Padnoma with their shopping requests and Padnoma buys the groceries for them as well as delivers them. In other cases, the client does their own grocery shopping and leaves the groceries at the store. Padnoma then picks them up and delivers them.
Orders can also be taken via email and faxes.
Padnoma Support Services officials say the grocery service is free to seniors in the community who utilize Co-op and Sobeys stores because those stores cover the delivery charges.
However, under the expanded version, customers in the community at large will be charged 10 per cent of their grocery bill.
Lona Thompson coordinates the service.
"This is going to be an amazing opportunity because we're hoping to expand the grocery service to the members of the public. Right now we serve seniors and a few businesses," says Marina Smith, Thompson's job coach.
Smith says the goal is to raise money from Spring Fling to help pay for a new vehicle in order to expand the service.
"Currently we have Lona and three other clients who help. But if we're very busy, which occasionally we (are), we have to use a staff vehicle," she says.
Padnoma executive director Barb Beaver-Hawman says the service has been offered since 1992. Thompson has been involved for about 16 years.
She loves it.
"I enjoy visiting with the customers. I always try to make time to visit with them," Thompson says. "We've met some of their families."
Smith says Thompson is very conscientious about and concerned about the grocery service clients she deals with.
"If she doesn't hear from a customer for a few days we'll give them a ring, just to be sure they're OK and there's nothing that they need. And they always look forward to seeing Lona. It brightens their day," she says.
"And when I'm sick, they ask where I am," Thompson says.
"Yep; you're pretty important," Beaver-Hawman adds.
"This is going to be an amazing opportunity because we're hoping to expand the grocery service to the members of the public. Right now we serve seniors and a few businesses."MARINA SMITHJOB COACH PADNOMA SUPPORT SERVICES
