The Bow Valley Beef and Multi 4-H Club had a very successful 4-H on Parade weekend at the Calgary Stampede grounds from June 3– 5. The highlight was the sale of the charity lamb at the auction on Sunday. Each year 4-H clubs alternate the task of donating a charity lamb for the auction, with the proceeds going to the club’s charity of choice. This year, Bow Valley Beef and Multi had the charity lamb project and our members chose CanLyme as the charity that would benefit. The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme) is dedicated to promoting research, education, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and associated diseases. This charity was of importance to our club as we have several families who have been directly affected by this debilitating disease. The club felt this would be an ideal way to raise awareness regarding Lyme disease and to provide funds for research. Prior to the auction, Gerry Isley, a Bow Valley Alumni, former Leader, parent and strong community member, spearheaded an initiative to raise a substantial amount of money to purchase the lamb. The Friends of Bow Valley was formed from a group of donors that consisted of Bow Valley 4-H families and alumni, as well as generous members of the community. During the auction on Sunday, lambs were selling for an average of $4-6/lb, so it was an exciting and emotional moment when the winning bid for the charity lamb reached $119.50/lb. By the end of the day The Friends of Bow Valley had raised additional funds, bringing the overall total to $15,750 for the CanLyme Foundation. The sale of the charity lamb was a wonderful showing of community spirit and we as a club feel very fortunate to have been involved.
Another great community initiative that occurred on the 4-H on Parade weekend was the purchase of six lambs to be donated to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, supporting the residents of Fort McMurray. Ramsey Miller, one of our junior club members, approached Elbow River Marketing Ltd with a proposal to purchase the alternate lambs for donation. It was encouraging for our members to not only have their alternate projects purchased, but to also know that their hard work is going to help those in need in Fort McMurray, and we are grateful for the support of Elbow River Marketing Ltd
