When the tried and true fundraiser for the Humboldt Wildlife Federation took a turn during the COVID situation, the local organization took a page from the wildlife the club seeks to sustain; they adapted.

That’s the word from Murray Freistadt with the Humboldt Wildlife Federation. Their long running Co-op Gift Card sale was in jeopardy because of gathering and contact restrictions around the pandemic. Club members formerly went door to door canvassing for the sale of the cards redeemable at the Humboldt Co-op. The venture had been a solid fundraiser in the past, and without it, the Federation’s projects would go untended.

Freistadt explained how the organization met the challenge. 

“We had picked June for the fundraiser, but with COVID not clearing up, we had to try something different this year. So instead of doing the face to face with people, we actually did a phone blitz. We phoned all our members, and this year, much to my surprise we sold $15,300 worth of the cards.”

That number surpassed the previous year’s sales by $2000. The local branch also had to account for a new way of collecting the money, so once again, they ventured into new territory.

“We tried something new and set up e-transfer this year,” said Freistadt. “ People could also drop off their cash or cheques at the Humboldt Motors Auto Body.”

The switch to e-transfer proved a savvy one as over twenty percent of patrons simply set their payments digitally. 

Clubs participating in the Co-op Gift Card fundraisers receive a percentage of the sales based on volume. This year, the Humboldt Wildlife Federation netted $1,377 that will most likely go to the restoration of the club house at the gun range south of the city.

Over the five years of the Federation’s participating in the Co-op Gift Card venture, members have sold almost $76,000 worth of cards. Not only does the cash derived support a worthwhile organization, but the money spent largely stays within the community.