By Keri Sculland
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, friends and family will be gathering together to enjoy each other’s company.
Everyone is invited out to the Go Organic Sports Ranch in Parson to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Monday fundraiser, which raises money for the East Kootenay Friends of Children. The free and confidential service supports children travelling to access medical care unavailable at home.
“We want to continue to help out because really this is the only actual community-driven fundraiser so far for East Kootenay Friends of Children,” said organizer Rhonda Smith. “There’s quite a few families that have been using it.”
East Kootenay Friends of Children started in 2010 and benefits local families with the cost of travel, fuel, hotels, parking, and more. The program requires families to submit costs and tracks the spending. Each year, many families use the program, so it is important to keep contributing to the fund, Smith said.
“The amount of funds that’s been granted, and the amount of families that have been using it, we have to try to keep going and up our contribution,” Smith said.
The reason Smith and Infinity Solstice continue to host the annual fundraiser leads back to Smith’s work with children in the community. After retirement, she wanted to keep giving back to the community and help families that have to take their children for appointments and treatments in other cities and areas.
Each year, the event brings together friends and family for a day of fun activities. Participants can sign up in advance and get a pledge form, or show up on the day, grab some discs, and get out on the course. All proceeds will go to East Kootenay Friends of Children. There will be an all-day hot dog roast by donation, or people can bring their own picnic and refreshments. Camping is available on site for a fee.
“It’s quite informal. You don’t have to be serious player, you can get out and have some forest bathing,” Smith said.
The disc golf course now has 55 holes, targets, and baskets. Go Organic Sports Ranch hosted a competition with their friends to build metal targets, and now features a large “Zankh,” an Ankh-shaped target, where players throw their disc through the triangle at the top.
“It’s good to get some exercise and have a lot of laughs, Smith said about the event.
The event kicks off on October 14 at 12 p.m. and runs until dusk at 4150 Thomas Road, across the river in Parson. To sign up in advance or to make a donation, contact hosts Smith and Infinity Solstice by e-mail at discgolf4150@gmail.com, or phone 250-348-2351. For more information about the disc golf course and the ranch, visit www.organicsportsranch.com.
