The 2022 Fernie Lions Club Demolition Derby was the highest grossing one in the event’s history, and the club recently showed appreciation for the volunteers who made it possible.
Ted Shoesmith, president of the Fernie Lions Club, confirmed that this year’s fundraiser derby, which returned following a two-year pandemic hiatus, brought in the most funds in the event’s near-50 year history.
“I will say that it’s more than we’ve ever managed to raise before,” he said in an interview with The Free Press.
“And after two years of picking bottles to make ends meet for the club, it felt really good to actually get our feet back under us.”
On Sunday, Oct. 23, a dinner was held at The Old Elevator restaurant in Fernie to show appreciation for those who made the derby possible, as well as other volunteers who contribute throughout the year. Shoesmith said there were about 70 people in attendance.
“It was to show our appreciation for the legions of volunteers that show up to make the derby happen for us so we can keep giving back to the community.”
But the volunteers weren’t just shown appreciation via a dinner.
Representatives from about a dozen contributing groups have been presented, both at and after the dinner, with cheques ranging from $500 to $1500, for a total of about $16,000 donated from the Lion’s Club back to their contributing groups through funds raised at the derby.
Speaking about the money raised at the derby, Shoesmith said “All of that, it goes back into the community to all those groups… and helps people out.”
“We don’t really keep very much year over year, just enough to roll over and start the next derby.”
Shoesmith highlighted that it’s the whole town that comes together to make the event happen.
“It’s a great time, and it’s a good thing for everybody involved,” he said.
“I’m really grateful that everybody, after a couple of years of having (the derby) shut down, put in the work and made it happen for us.”
“It never would happen without all those people.”
READ MORE: GALLERY: Sunshine, dirt clouds and cheering crowds for Fernie Demolition Derby 2022
READ MORE: Smashy smashy: Demolition Derby for charity returning to Fernie
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