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Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association forms Lloyd Ex Foundation

Oct 1, 2020 | 6:49 PM

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – The Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association is establishing a foundation for those who want to make a charitable donation to help the non profit.

“[The Lloyd Ex Foundation] was a response to outreach from the public and from residents wondering how they can help us,” the association’s general manager Jenelle Saskiw said. “It’s no secret that all event centres right now are under a lot of pressure due to the COVID restrictions. Times are a little bit challenging as we are going through this difficult [period].”

Through the foundation, individuals and businesses will be able to donate to offer their support.

“For the short term, we are going to be looking at our donations helping us out with the operational costs, bridge-funding,” Saskiw said. “In the last year we have lost 90 per cent of our revenue [due to the financial impact of the pandemic].”

The foundation model will also offer an opportunity for the organization to continue to give back to the community, she said, as it has done for the last century.

In the long term, contributions received by the foundation will be used for various community initiatives.

Five per cent of all donations will be earmarked for scholarships and programs that will benefit youth pursuing education or careers in agriculture.

In the future, funds will also be used for expansion plans for the Lloydminster Exhibition to continue to serve the community for many years into the future.

The Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association will also establish a program for businesses that wish to make a contribution for naming rights for one of its buildings.

A livestock and crop program will also be available for farmers wishing to donate proceeds to the foundation.

Saskiw said the support from the foundation will provide a much needed boost to the organization, to help it recover and grow.

“The most important thing for us is establishing some funds to ensure that we can remain a pillar in our community throughout the future as well,” she said.

All donations will receive a charitable tax receipt.

Full details about donating to the Lloyd Ex Foundation are available here.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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