The Airdrie & District Community Foundation (ADCF) celebrated the third annual gala on May 16 by donating $7,500 to local organizations in need of funding.

“The Community Foundation is about creating legacy funding to support our future citizens,” said vice chair Crystal Adamo.

“We aim to grow the main fund and then spend the interest to help local charities and organizations. Everyone benefits from this.”

This year, the fund has reached over $260,000 with the help of large donations from community members.

“The idea is if we plant a seed today, it’s going to provide fruit and shade for future generations,” said chair Dale Rathgeber, explaining why the foundation uses a tree to symbolize their legacy.

At the gala, $3,750 was donated to the Airdrie & District Victim Assistance Society (ADVAS), $3,250 to the 2020 Alberta Winter Games, and $500 to Meals on Wheels.

“We offer a number of services including crisis support 24 hours a day and assistance with safety plans for victims of domestic violence,” said Michelle Wagner, executive director of ADVAS.

“The funds we received will go towards our court support program. The criminal justice system can be very scary, confusing and overwhelming once charges are laid. This will help them prep for all of it.”

Mayor Peter Brown also attended the gala and expressed his belief that the foundation will provide a permanent financial legacy for the community.

“If people want to leave a legacy behind, this is the place to leave it,” he said.

“We’ve lost significant donations because people don’t know who we are yet.”

Mayor Brown added that it’s easy to get involved by donating, and it’s also an option for residents to leave a portion of their estate to the foundation in their will.

“We’re going to be the fifth largest city in the next census,” he said.

“When I was elected we were eleventh. So we’ve grown tremendously, and we have a ton of local organizations that need financial support.”

The ADCF is always looking for donations or suggestions on how to utilize the funds.

“We want to become well-known in Airdrie,” said Adamo.

“We’re always looking for innovative ideas. Bring those to us and help us raise awareness of what we are trying to achieve.”

To learn more, visit airdriefoundation.ca.