Foothills Advocacy in Motion (FAIM) has outgrown its space in Okotoks and is in need of a new building to continue to offer employment, volunteer and community access support to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Donations from the 2022 Western Wheel Cares campaign will help the organization pursue this endeavour.
"We are hoping to get a bigger facility so that we can support those individuals in some meaningful programming," said FAIM fundraising and communications co-ordinator Jenn Seinen. "Right now, in Okotoks, we have outgrown our space.
"We're having to put families who need support on a waiting list, just because we don't have the room to supply those services."
Seinen said 60 individuals currently access day programming through FAIM, with many more waiting.
The organization, with offices in Okotoks, High River and Strathmore, works to promote inclusion for people with developmental disabilities in the community. FAIM offers employment training through volunteer and job placements, entrepreneurial opportunities and home living programs.
As part of its work to foster personal growth and belonging, FAIM supports individuals in creating their own business through the Entrepreneur Bursary.
The work of multiple vendors will be on display during the Entrepreneur Christmas Market, being held Nov. 19 at FAIM's High River office.
"They create their own business, they work through it, they make their own products, sell their products," Seinen said. "It's 100 per cent their own business that we support them in creating and building."
FAIM is one of seven organizations which will benefit from the 2022 Western Wheel Cares campaign, alongside Foothills Country Hospice, Inclusion Foothills, Okotoks Food Bank, Pound Rescue, Rowan House Society and Sheep River Health Trust.
In its 10th year in 2021, the Western Wheel Cares campaign raised a record $72,107 – topping the previous all-time high of $71,379.65 raised in 2020.
One hundred per cent of donations are passed through to the charities.
This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
The Western Wheel will feature one of the seven charities for the next seven weeks.
To donate to Western Wheel Cares, mail cheques to Box 150, Okotoks, AB, T1S 2A2 or visit Western Wheel Cares - OkotoksToday.ca.
As well, you can drop by the Wheel office at 9 McRae St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) weekdays or call 587-325-6234.
