Foothills charities are dividing more than $76,000 thanks to another successful Western Wheel Cares campaign.
The annual holiday initiative, which solicits donations from the public to distribute to seven local non-profit organizations, collected a whopping $76,790 over November and December of 2024.
That brings the 13-year total raised by Western Wheel Cares to $745,851.
“It was a bit quieter this year but we still ended up with a very generous total that will support seven very worthwhile charities,” said Gayle Wolf, office manager at the Western Wheel and co-ordinator of Western Wheel Cares.
Western Wheel publisher Shaun Jessome said the newspaper appreciates how residents and businesses stepped up to help others in the Foothills in 2024.
“It was a challenging year for many but the community came through yet again,” Jessome said.
Wheel Cares is set up so people can support seven organizations with a singular donation. All money raised goes directly to the charities.
Cheques for almost $11,000 were presented on Jan. 6 to the following seven organizations: Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society, Foothills Country Hospice, Inclusion Foothills, Okotoks Food Bank, Pound Rescue, Rowan House Society and Sheep River Health Trust.
Throughout the campaign, the Wheel profiled each of the seven non-profits to showcase the meaningful impact they have on the community.
Rosa Kurtz, president of Pound Rescue, which has 36 dogs and countless cats in its care at the moment, said the non-profit couldn’t do its work without supporters like Western Wheel Cares.
“We are so grateful for all your support and willingness to continue to help us help the animals,” Kurtz said.
