The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre is planning a fundraiser to help the people of Slave Lake.

Fires recently tore through the community of Slave Lake, destroying about a third of the town. In an effort to help the residents and business owners in that community, the Sawridge is planning a fund-raising event in Jasper on May 28.

“We will be hosting the fundraiser for Slave Lake on the front lawn of the fire department,” said Tony Bielec, operations manager for the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre. “We want this to be a fun event, but we want people to realize the seriousness of what has occurred. This hits very close to home for us as we have several businesses in Slave Lake and work very closely with the people who both manage and work at the properties.”

The fundraising event will feature a barbecue, with Sawridge staff serving up hot dogs, burgers, popcorn and other goodies. 

“We are also bringing in a dunk tank,” said Bielec. “We are working on recruiting some hotel GMs to be dunked and we are challenging and encouraging the mayor and councillors to come out to be dunked.”

There will be balloons for the kiddies and the Sawridge is currently soliciting donations for auction items to be featured at the fundraiser.

“We will be taking cash donations on behalf of the Red Cross and will be donating every penny collected from the dunk tank, balloons and food to the relief fund,” said Bielec. 

The Sawridge will “fire up the barbecue” at 11 a.m. and the event will run until 3 p.m.

The Sawridge has already been actively collecting donations for Slave Lake at the hotel, with a dollar from every drink purchased at the last two wing nights at Champs Lounge donated to Slave Lake, and the Sawridge is presently collecting as many goods at they can to donate to the residents of the fire ravaged community, including duvets, sheets and kitchenware