Some of the things Friends of the Grande Spirit Foundation have provided for residents at Grande Spirit Foundation Seniors Lodges (Photos: Friends of Grande Spirit Foundation, Facebook)

By Abby Zieverink

Friends of Grande Spirit Foundation

Friends of Grande Spirit Foundation hosting virtual fundraiser for seniors lodges

Oct 16, 2021 | 7:51 AM

The Friends of the Grande Spirit Foundation is hosting a virtual fundraiser for the Grande Spirit Foundation’s seniors lodges.

Wendy Doucet, who is the fundraising coordinator for the Friends of the Grande Spirit Foundation, says in a typical year the group does three in-person fundraisers. However, because of the pandemic, she says their fundraising has basically been nonexistent.

“We used to do our big garage sale every spring, as well as a golf tournament, and then our big dinner we’ve always had this time of year, but the last two years we weren’t able to have it because of COVID.”

Doucet suggests though the group has been learning to adapt by hosting their online fundraiser, the Virtual Harvest Dine and Dance.

“Which was new for our group because we’re made up of a bunch of volunteers from the community, so we all chipped away at it, and we kind of got it down to a fine art.”

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Doucet says this fundraiser includes a silent auction and a variety of door prizes for participants to win.

“You have a chance for about 30 door prizes and you go in for every single draw,” she said.

“We have a diamond ring, a gift card wallet, and a festive cooler. That’s just three of our top prizes that you can win.”

With this year marking 20 years since the Friends of the Grande Spirit Foundation was founded, Doucet says over $400,000 has been raised over the 20 years to help better the lives of seniors living in Grande Spirit Foundation lodges.

“Our goal is to make our seniors lodges more of a home and not just housing,” said Doucet.

She tells EverythingGP the money raised is always spent wisely and notes they always try to provide to residents’ requests.

“The residents of all of the seniors’ lodges sit down with the managers once a year and they make a wish list, then they submit it to our group, and we go through it,” she said. “We’ve pretty much been able to fulfill everything on that wish list.”

She says those wish lists vary widely.

“It’s everything from the glider swings you’ll see outside, newer patio furniture, pianos, reader boards, libraries, whatever they want. We try to give it to them because we wouldn’t have our community if it wasn’t for them,” she said.

“We’re excited to do what we do, and none of it can be done without our community.”

Thanks to donations from the community members, groups, and businesses, Doucet says their online fundraiser has been able to come together.

“The community, when it comes to seniors is very generous, they’re amazing.”

100 per cent of the funds raised goes to the Grande Spirt Foundation seniors’ lodges.

Tickets are $50 a person and can be purchased on the Friends of Grande Spirit Facebook page.

The draw date for the raffle is November 13, with the silent auction running from November 8 to 13.