About 75 families raced across central Alberta to visit 25 businesses.
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre hosted its first annual Amazing Race Bingo event Saturday, which gave participants six hours to visit different businesses in Red Deer, Lacombe and Sylvan Lake.
Alaine Martin, business and community development director at the centre, said she was thrilled with the turnout.
“This is the first time for something like this. Everything is virtual right now, so we wanted to do something that wasn’t,” Martin said.
“We had no idea what kind of engagement we’d get on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of June. Who knew, right? But no one really has anywhere to go right now, so we were hopeful we’d be able to hit people before they started leaving town.”
When participants arrived at the businesses, staff or volunteers marked the bingo cards.
Martin said the event was born when the centre began thinking of ways to give people something to do while respecting physical distancing protocols.
“People want something to do and this is our way to give them something to do, and say thank you to the local businesses that support us,” she said.
“People get out, start talking about the businesses and get them through their doors. They have some fun, win some prizes and raise some money for the CACAC.”
There were about 30 prizes families could win.
“Some of the businesses will have their own little giveaways and draws too,” Martin added.
“A lot of purchasers are making donations at the same time, so that is a bonus for us. If we can raise several thousand dollars, and the awareness that goes with it, that would be amazing.”
All the money raised through the event goes toward the centre’s programming.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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