Story and photos by Angelique Rodrigues/Edmonton Sun
Edmonton’s only city-run charity celebrated 15 years of giving Edmontonians a lift in a kick-off ceremony at city hall Thursday.
Founding member and co-chair of Donate-A-Ride, Coun. Kim Krushell, was on hand to congratulate the city for it’ hard work on behalf of the cause.
“Edmontonians have always been very generous to Donate-A-Ride,” says Krushell.
That why this year she’s hoping the campaign will pull in $100,000 to $150,000.
“We’re not asking for a lot of money, we’re simply asking for a toonie,” Krushell said.
The city-run fundraiser collected enough donations in its last campaign to distribute 86,270 adult and youth transit tickets to 60 organizations, says Krushell.
And demand is steadily increasing, says Krushell.
“Every year we have more agencies begging for donated tickets but our goal is always to at least maintain what we’ve been able to generate,” she explained.
Several new contributors have jumped on board for this year’s campaign, says Krushell.
“Which means we may be able to give tickets to agencies we haven’t been able to in the past,” she said hopefully.
She also welcomed two new members to the Donate- A-Ride board at the ceremony: Coun. Dave Loken and Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Examiner and 24 Hours publisher John Caputo.
“We are really excited to have them join the cause,” she said.
Krushell says the tickets are for Edmontonians who desperately need the donated rides on city transit.
“Your toonie could be somebody’s
ticket to finding a job, gaining medical attention or finishing school,” said Krushell.
Dozens of city agencies will dole out the tickets, including the Youth Emergency Shelter Society, Boyle Street Community Services and ABC Headstart.
Last year, Donate-a-Ride supplied more than 85,000 bus tickets and the charity has raised more than $1 million dollars in transit tickets since 1996.
On New Year’s Eve, transit service will be free beginning at 6 p.m. Any money dropped into fare boxes will go directly Donate-A-Ride.
Buses will accept donations from Dec. 30 to the end of January.
Contributions to Donate-A-Ride are accepted all year at donatearide.ab.ca.
RookieReporterEdm 