Dave Leaderhouse
Special to the Herald
There was everything from Smurfs to bananas to hippies to construction workers taking to the ice at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club on Saturday, but despite the enthusiastic display of the participants the main benefactor was the Mont St. Joseph Foundation.
“Costumes are definitely encouraged and we are definitely seeing more and more each year,” noted Jessica Gale, Director of Foundation Development, for the organization that takes on the responsibility of raising funds for the Mont St. Joseph long-term care home in Prince Albert. “What we do and provide is because of the people in this community.”
Mont St. Joseph’s has been in the community for 70 years and when the home relocated from its old location in East Hill to a more modern facility beside Carlton Comprehensive High School back in 1997, the Foundation initiated a funspiel for curling enthusiasts to be known as the “Monty”.
Funds raised from the “Monty” over the years have helped offset costs for numerous projects and this year the proceeds will be put towards improving and updating the 12 dining areas located within the home.
“Our goal (for the “Monty”) is $30,000 through sponsorship and the on-line auction,” says Gale. “The community is fantastic. Businesses and organizations come to us and ask how they can help.”
The overall cost for the dining room project is $500,000 and with two of the areas completed there is still work to be done. In addition to the “Monty”, the foundation generates funds through other means such as a summer golf tournament, a ball drop which has the Prince Albert Fire Department deploying a ladder truck to drop a bag of marked balls on a designated target, Grandparent’s Day – a family fun day that includes a barbeque plus a bi-weekly 50/50 draw.
As for the “Monty” there were 32 teams of four each competing in three novelty curling games with all participants being treated to an endless supply of food and refreshments. Local businesses also provided a variety of items that were featured in an on-line auction to generate more funds with various raffles being held during the day to complete the fundraising roster.
Board members and volunteers were on hand to readily accept donations from the participants, so even though wallets might have been left lighter fun was had by all and what brought it all together was when a handful of Mont St. Joseph residents showed up later in the day to watch the activities giving even more justification to what the goal of the event ultimately is.
