Fundraiser ‘bail money’ supports local causes

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This article was published 18/06/2023 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A pair of Steinbach organizations will benefit from funds raised at the June 8 Jail Break fundraising event hosted by the Rotary Club of South Eastman.

For the second year, the Rotary Club “arrested” prominent local citizens on trumped up charges, only to release them once “bail” in the form of fundraising was collected.

Nine volunteers were held in a special holding cell at Clearspring Centre until they could raise their bail.

A final event was planned for Thursday to celebrate the initiative’s success, where they will be “pardoned for their crimes”.

This year $45,000 was raised by the effort, an increase of nearly 10 percent from last year.

Funds will be shared by Eden Foundation and The Bridge, a transitional housing project being constructed and operated by Steinbach Community Outreach.

Rotary member George Penner said this year’s event was a lot of fun for all involved and included some extra levity in the form of an attempted break-out, and other surprises.

“It was a better event than last year,” he said.

This year’s participants included Al Kehler of Eden Foundation, Eric Klippenstein, former RCMP Staff Sgt. Harold Laninga, Mel Funk, local radio broadcaster Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, Ward 3 RM of Hanover councillor Roberto Hiebert, Paul Hiebert, Michelle Bezditny and Reyn Kroeker.