Tuesday evening the Legends Car Club presented a cheque for $31,155 to South Central Cancer Resource (SCCR). The money was raised through its annual Drive For Cancer and fundraising BBQ and Car Show.
Club member and BBQ organizer Don Bergen, who was part of the presentation, noted the May 31st BBQ at Hometown Ford in Winkler brought in the most money it ever has.
"Twelve or thirteen years ago I started doing this," he shared. "I just figured I'd have a fun event, and we started off with so many hot dogs, and then we went to donations. People could donate what they wanted to, and of course, get a tax receipt for it. It's just fantastic the people in our area, and how they donate and how they come out and support. This year we did just over $11,000. Last year was $7,500. The year before that was about five, and before that it was the $1,000 to $2,000 mark."
After the BBQ, Bergen did a quick calculation and determined it raised about $33 for each hot dog sold.
"We are just so blessed people coming out and helping, it's wonderful," he said.
Family member's cancer journey prompts desire to help
Bergen's desire to help SCCR comes from his wife's cancer fight over twenty years ago.
"In '02 to '03 is when South Central Cancer Resource started, and that's when my wife had cancer," he explained. "We were blessed that we did not have to need their services. We caught it early, and she's still with me after 23 years. We're celebrating 40 years this July and it's wonderful. But there's a lot of people out there, unfortunately, that need their services and so there's just such a need. I feel very blessed myself, my family, and we just want to give back."
During the cheque presentation, SCCR's Social Media and Project Coordinator Erika Friesen read a message from Board President Shannon Bergsma to those gathered, which thanked Legends Car Club for its incredible support and fundraising over the years.
"As a small organization that depends completely on the kindness of people like you, your fundraising efforts don't just help us, they are what make everything we do possible," read Friesen. "It's a true privilege for SCCR to be selected as the sole beneficiary of the Legends Drive for Cancer and BBQ fundraiser event. The fact you keep choosing to stand with us year after year reminds us what incredible community support our clients have standing behind them."
The goal is to only get bigger
And Bergen is hoping that community support will continue to grow, because he's already thinking about how he can make the BBQ even bigger next year.
"I am shooting for higher," he said with a smile. "Every year you always want to do more. I keep coming up with ideas and talking to suppliers, bringing more stuff to the BBQ just to help, because there's so many people that need help. The ball is always rolling. I'm always thinking about how I can improve, what can I can do differently and make it better."