Eston’s dinner and auction raises $84,000!
By Joan Janzen
Eston’s Celebrity Sports Dinner and Live Auction raised an amazing total of $84,000! The event was held Saturday, April 13, at the AGT Community Centre in support of the Eston & District Recreation Committee Fairgrounds Project and the Eston Lions Swimming Pool. The community was excited to attend this event, which had not been held since 2017.
Special guests for the evening included Dave Schultz, a former professional hockey coach and a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Philadelphia Flyers. Sheldon Kennedy, who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames was present, as well as Ryan Tunall, who grew up in Eston and was the voice of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. They were joined by Steve “Big Mac” McIntyre to complete the list of guest speakers. After the crowd of 190 hungry guests had devoured a delicious roast beef supper catered by Jackie’s Delicious Delights, they enjoyed listening to their special guests speak and share stories. A very successful live auction followed.
Recreation Director Garrett Turner said there were over forty items donated to the auction. Dave Schultz donated four tickets to a Flyer game, one of the biggest items, along with a combine and header donated for a day by Western Sales.
The success of the evening was the result of a community team effort. Those who attended, along with the willing help of volunteers, made the event an incredible and unforgettable experience.
“The office staff at the Town of Eston and the entire Recreation Committee did an amazing job over the last three weeks,” Garrett said. They were joined by six or seven volunteers who took shifts at the bar.
The $84,000 raised will be put to good use in the near future. “We have 153 kids registered in minor ball this year, and we only have two useable diamonds,” Garrett explained. “So we will upgrade a couple of diamonds and hopefully build two more in the next three years.” Funds will also go towards upgrades for the Eston Lions Swimming Pool.