A recent fundraiser hosted in partnership with Eddie Webster's raised $4,000 for the Estevan Public Youth Centre (EPYC), and organizer Bonnie Chepil-Kvamme says the support from the community has made a meaningful difference.
“It definitely has a large impact on the EPYC Youth Centre,” said Chepil-Kvamme. “It will go toward our rent, toward snacks and toward our programming.”
This was the largest campaign under the new leadership of Chepil-Kvamme and Maisie Doaust, who took over organizing efforts for the center. Chepil-Kvamme said she had high hopes for the fundraiser—but the final result still exceeded her expectations.
“I knew it was going to be successful because anything that involves Eddie Websters is going to be a success,” she said. “Right after our Olympic event in January, I met with Donna Colesar and Ivy from Eddie Websters. We put our heads together and came up with a plan. I really wanted the fundraiser to focus on putting Epic on the map, getting our name out there and building recognition in the community as to who we were—not as Cool Executive Records, but as a youth centre. And it most certainly did that.”
She added that the grilled cheese specials and other custom creations from the restaurant’s kitchen helped draw people in. “The chef came up with some great pieces of food to feature,” she said.
Support poured in from across the community, including from Estevan City Council and local athletes.
“We asked City Council if they would help promote the fundraiser, and they did a video to support us,” said Chepil-Kvamme. “The cheer team from the comprehensive school also supported it. The centre serves youth ages 12 to 17, so having that connection to youth groups in the community was really important.”
Chepil-Kvamme emphasized how important it is to have a space specifically for teens, especially since the Family Resource Centre primarily focuses on children under 12.
“This is a facility used every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. There’s never a time when there aren’t youth there,” she said. “There’s a great need in our community. They enjoy the programming—we’re teaching them skills like cooking smashed burgers or creating artwork. It’s a lovely environment, and they really appreciate it.”
She added that the $4,000 raised is already going to good use—covering the costs of rent, nutritional snacks, and facilitators for programming. It will also allow EPYC to open for an extra day over the Easter break.
“Again, I can’t thank the community or Eddie Websters enough,” she said. “This funding is so meaningful, and I believe EPYC is becoming more of a household name, which is absolutely fantastic.”