A long-standing summer tradition in Jasper is putting on a new face.
The Jasper Bellmen’s auction went through a revamp this year, leaving its long-time home at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for a venue in town—the Downstream Lounge—and changing its name to the Jasper Hospitality Auction.
Event organizer Matt Figueira said it felt like a good year to change focus, because the group behind the auction no longer works at Fairmont.
“In some ways there is still a connection to the Bellmen’s auction, but we are kind of starting a little bit fresh this year,” Figeuira said. “We’re trying to start an event that can be built upon in town.”
Since its inception, money raised by the auction has been divvied out to local organizations and individuals in Jasper. A big concern for organizers has always been avoiding red tape and getting as much money as possible directly to the community.
This year they hope to continue that tradition by operating under the umbrella of the Jasper Community Team, which administers Community Outreach Services and operates the Jasper Caring Community Fund.
According to Kathleen Waxer, the director of COS, the fund exists to help Jasperites overcome “small but significant barriers to happiness or well-being.” As long as other sources of funding aren’t available, the fund exists to help with things like enrolling kids from low-income families in sports programs, or getting people to doctors appointments, and paying for people to attend out-of-town funerals.
Money raised at this year’s auction will go straight to that fund. Figueira said the partnership makes sense because the vision behind the fund lines up well with that of the auction.
“[COS is] already an organization that is funded and has the money that they need to run ... so that means that the money we give goes back into the community, as opposed to other administrative [costs],” he said.
Considering the auction brought in more than $27,000 last year, and more than $500,000 over its lifespan, this year’s donation will be a welcome boost to the fund.
Waxer said the fund fluctuates in size—anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000—and the donation will be “a huge bonus.”
“Research [shows] that communities with a level playing field have greater health and well being than communities with big disparities in income. So from my perspective ensuring a more level playing field [makes] everybody happier and healthier,” she said.
Figueira said that while this year’s event is in a new venue, it will keep the same fun energy. Doug McPhee will return once again as auctioneer, and the live auction will keep things exciting.
To check out the auction visit the Downstream Sept. 21.
For more information, or to donate, contact Figueira at [email protected].
