Fun With Funding a Cause

When Invermere Home Hardware decides to have some friends over for a party, the British Columbia-based business doesn’t joke around. It brings in every last bit of fun to be had and makes sure a worthy cause benefits when it’s all over.

In September, Invermere Home Hardware conducted its second annual Invermere Home Hardware Tailgate Party, bringing together vendors with area residents to support a local charity. Last year, the party supported a local day care center that was raising funds for a new playground. This year, the party supported Summit Youth Centre, which offers drug- and alcohol-free spaces for young adults ages 12 to 18.

Summit Youth Centre is raising funds for a new facility, Home Hardware floor manager Mandi Cox says.

“We really try to look for immediate need when we organize this fundraiser. We want the funds to make a tangible, recognizable difference in the community,” Cox says.

Vendors paid a fee for their booths, and all profits from the barbecue and the vendor spaces went to the designated charity. The group doing the fundraising also ran the barbecue.

Other attractions included face-painting, vendor demonstrations, a popup library event from the local library organization with storytelling for children and dancers from a local school group that feature native dances. The youth center provided DJ services to show off the DJ grant it had recently received, while an employee of Home Hardware displayed her dog’s agility training.

“We try to feature something for everyone, and we see the entire event as a big thank you to the community,” Cox says. “We know this community and our year-round customers are the ones we need to show appreciation for. So this is our way of saying, ‘Here’s to you.’”