Organizers of two back-to-back event fundraising for Cochrane's future women's shelter, Big Hill Haven, surpassed expectations, with a combined total of more than $52,000 and counting. The Bearcat Murray Tribute held at the RancheHouse on April 27 packed the room with fans of the legendary Flames athletic trainer and humanitarian, where the $25,000 raised through live and silent auction items will go toward the women's shelter initiative. On April 28, Cochrane's classic Western-dressed entertainment ladies, Women of the Wild West, held an event at the Cochrane Legion that raised more than $27,000. "These were two very different events, but both were equally great," said Margaret Van Tighem, co-chair and co-founder of Big Hill Haven. "I was kind of in shock ... Cochrane, you guys take care of your own." Van Tighem said next week former board member, Patti Fischer, will begin a part-time position as an outreach worker supporting the shelter in partnership with Cochrane Family and Community Support Services. At the next shelter board meeting on May 23, they will go over the results of the feasibility study - which has indicated an identified need to build a shelter facility in town - and begin working toward the fall start-up of the capital funding campaign. Further timelines will then be established and the shelter continues to look for community partners to move forward. Van Tighem said the annual general meeting will be held in June. Those interested in getting involved should reach out to her before then to attend the meeting and inquire about board position vacancies. "A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of those who generously donated services of items to the Women of the Wild West event," said Ana Botelho Clark of the auction committee for the Saturday night event, adding that Cochrane ATB Financial donated the dinner and entertainment. Cochrane Staples donated printing and Incredible Florist provided flowers. With too many silent auction donations to list - including two round trip WestJet tickets for two, getaway hotel packages and artwork highlighted by a limited edition Gina McDougall Cohoe bronze statue- Botelho Clark said the event drew 130 cowboys and gals to bid on hot ticket items, feast and two-step into the night to the tunes of Two Bad Apples. For Dan Kroffat, spearhead of the Bearcat tribute, the fact that Cochranites turned out in droves to honour Bearcat and kick in for the shelter speaks volumes about the generosity of the community. "Based on the appetite of the public, I would like to put it out there to see if this is something they would like to continue in the community," said Kroffat. In the fall of 2016, Kroffat, a retired professional wrestler and celebrity philanthropist, organized an event to honour former Cochrane Eagle publisher Jack Tennant. Following the success of that, he moved forward with the Bearcat Murray tribute and has a list of other men and women, some from Cochrane, some from elsewhere in the province, that he would like to see honoured in the future. The idea is to honour a worthy individual while fundraising for a community cause. "The sponsorship aspect to me was invaluable - also the volunteers," said Kroffat, tipping his hat to main event sponsors - Shelly Kramer of Royal LePage Integrity for room sponsorship, Gary Sartorio of Shaganappi GM for providing the meal and Menchies Cochrane for donating the desserts. Key live auction donors included Cochrane McDonald's, Fit Body Boot Camp, Cochrane Toyota, Heavenly Outhouse and the Fence and Post. Two signed Stampeders Jon Cornish jerseys fetched $1,800. The retire football player also attended the event and gave a speech. To boost the bottom line for shelter donations, Coun. Marni Fedeyko is hosting an online auction through Facebook, which will be live this Saturday and will run one week. Fedeyko has been gathering donations this week from local businesses and individuals and is hoping to add a few thousand dollars to the shelter pot. "I am hoping this may provide an opportunity for people who perhaps could not afford to get in on the bids that happened at the two fundraisers over the weekend or those who simply just could not be there," said Fedeyko, who was also on the volunteer committee for the Bearcat Tribute. The link to Fedeyko's online auction is https://www.facebook.com/groups/194354301188238/ and will be live May 5. To learn more about the shelter or to get in touch with Van Tighem, visit bighillhaven.com.
