Quietly working in the background, many volunteers go unnoticed for years.
Tania Kroot is one of those volunteers.
It started several years ago when her girlfriend's house burned down and she's been doing fundraisers ever since.
Kroot most recently organized a June fundraiser for Leora Wildi, a teen in the community who survived two kinds of cancer. Wildi now struggles with chronic graft-versus-host disease that affects her mobility to such a great extent that she is mostly wheelchair bound.
When Kroot heard about Wildi's need for a very special medication (imatinib) that was not covered by any kind of medical plan, she decided to hold a fundraiser at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club. The fundraising effort brought in about $10,000 that went into a special fund dedicated to providing Wildi the imatinib that costs about $2,000 a month.
"I couldn't do these fundraisers without the volunteers and the businesses that donate to the cause," said Kroot, who also put on a recent event and raised about $17,000 for an infant who has cancer.
To prepare for a fundraiser, usually a dinner, dance and silent auction, Kroot first finds a venue that will offer her a deal so that the ticket for the event can be priced reasonably while proceeds can be donated to the cause. Then it's time to print the tickets and she always asks printers for a discount and, of course, free is always better. Kroot then begins to ask businesses for donations.
"It helps the businesses as well as the fundraiser because when they donate the businesses are getting their product out there and people will then support businesses that donate to a worthy cause," said Kroot. There's also the lottery licence to get for a 50/50 draw and she must also arrange for local performers to provide music for the dance. The silent auction is a big event all by itself and takes good timing, lots of man power and some know-how to make sure it goes fairly and smoothly as people try to outbid one another at the last minute for a coveted item.
"Basically you have to ask for discounts on everything and don't pay full price for anything," said Kroot. All in the effort to make sure as much goes to the cause as possible.
There is one thing that keeps inspiring Kroot.
"I had a son and he's healthy and so when it comes to kids who are not healthy I have to help," said Kroot, who's son Linden is five years old. "I try to teach him empathy. I've taken him kettling for the Salvation Army every year since he was born and so I think the only way to teach him is to lead by example. So to give back is important. When I had him it definitely changed my view on how much I want to help people out."
