Community scavenger hunt underway

The Our Village Community Scavenger Hunt kicked of Feb. 1 and community members are invited to take part in what has become a tradition.

Celebrating five years, the fundraiser allows people to play various games in a bid to win some of the prizes which of have a total value of $10,000.

Sponsors allow the event to be a fundraiser which is free to enter.

Jo-Anne Dalton, executive director of the Steinbach Family Resource Centre said this suits the facility.

“It fit so well with our organization because not only did it get people out there connecting within the community, with each other in the middle of winter… it provided an opportunity for us to recognize our partners and give them a benefit too,” she said.

This gives businesses an opportunity to showcase their products, share their history or just increase foot traffic.

Like last year, this year’s contest includes five different games.

“We partnered with The Puzzler, and he has come up with these awesome different games within the game,” she said.

Those who’ve played in the past will recognize three of the games from last year, but two are brand new.

Guess Who requires contestants to visit five local businesses to find clues that will reveal a secret admirer’s birthday.

Code Red gives contestants the opportunity to pick up a “secret decoder” and visit five businesses to reveal a code that will open the ballot box.

The Lucky Duck takes people through five local businesses where they must locate a specially marked duck. Only one out of five in each store is considered lucky.

For the Right Price has people look for a featured item in local businesses and fill in the price on the ballot, revealing a new number.

Treasure Hunt leads people through a series of treasure chests, each one revealing a clue for the next one.

Interest in the event, which runs until Feb. 17, is growing.

Dalton said last year’s event attracted 1,100 entries, double the 2023 total. With multiple people playing per entry card, the true numbers of those involved are much higher.

“We’re really hoping to see those numbers keep growing as people hear about it,” she said.

Twenty-six sponsors help make the event happen and offer much-needed funds to the Steinbach Family Resource Centre.

Dalton explained they receive some federal funding through the Canada prenatal nutrition program, which amounts to about 40 percent of their annual budget.

“Everything else we do is funded through sponsorships, donations, community support, just us out their boots on the ground talking to people and asking for help,” she said.

Usage of the facility has increased as well, almost doubling since 2020. Every family that walks in the door costs an average of $550 annually.

There are several ways contestants can cash in as well.

Every day the Steinbach Family Resource Centre will highlight a business. Completing their feature activity that day gives contestants a chance at a package worth $100 to $250.

Completing games allows people to win prizes valued from $500 to $750 including a local getaway with a Days Inn stay, a hockey getaway, ski passes to Spring Hill, a commuter bike and a half hog and barbecue package.

One winner will be drawn from all the entries for the grand prize, a custom vacation package from Brereton Lake Resort. That voucher can be used for accommodation, boat rentals, restaurant meals or in any combination to fit any family’s needs.

Details are available at www.steinbachfrc.ca and entries are also at participating businesses.