This month, 50% of all Rotary Dream Home tickets sales went to the COVID-19 Rapid Relief Fund to support area food banks.  

With the final cheques sent today totaling $102,140, $271,790 was provided for the food banks. 

Darrel Parlee builds new shelves at the Sexsmith Food Bank (Courtesy Rotary Club of Grande Prairie)

Cheques sent today: 

  • Grande Prairie: $80,500  
  • Beaverlodge: $4,120  
  • Fairview: $4,120  
  • Hythe: $3,090  
  • Sexsmith: $5,160  
  • Wembley: $3,090  
  • Peace River: $2,060 

Raffle Manager Kevin Hilgers says “I’m stunned at the response. When we announced April 1 that half the ticket sales would benefit the newly formed Rapid Relief Fund – we knew we were up against tough, tough challenges. The price of natural resources. The impact of the pandemic. But the community jumped all over this. They answered the call. I guess it gave them a chance to support the region and dream a little.”  

Hilgers also says businesses and individuals are asking how else they can help. “Maybe the Rapid Relief Fund can carry on after the Dream Home by accepting cash donations. People want to help. Rotarians are looking into this.”   

With social distancing in effect, the Dream Home draws will be livestreamed tomorrow at 7 pm on Facebook.  

Kyra Parlee from the Sexsmith and Area Food Bank is very grateful for the support. 

“Sexsmith and area food bank, would like to thank the Dream Home 2020 - COVID -19 Rapid Relief Fund. We have been very blessed at this time to be recipients of these funds. The funds have gone towards buying shelving and supplies for moving our Food Bank to its new location, as well we were able to purchase some gift cards so our clients could go into Grande Prairie and get fresh produce or get things we don't have on our shelves. This money will be put to good use as we keep going along in this new times in our world.“