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Standing together for a virtuous cause

It all started as an initiative to provide better opportunities for children on the spectrum.
15.comm.autism
President of Rednecks with a Cause Gary Mostert opens the night with a speech.

It all started as an initiative to provide better opportunities for children on the spectrum.

Rednecks with a Cause commenced their fifth annual fundraising gala on Saturday, April 7, with a huge turnout of people and a great response from the community.

“We’re really humbled by the consistent support of the community and just blessed to be a part of it, that shows this kind of generosity,” said Gary Mostert, president of Rednecks with a Cause.

Through this event, the local organization is trying to bring influential speakers to educate teaching staff, parents, and service providers on the importance of raising awareness, and about living on the spectrum.

“There was never enough awareness and there’s a lot of individuals on the spectrum in this community. I hear more and more children on the spectrum every time,” said Helena Kaye, local resident.

This year was Kaye’s first time volunteering for the cause, but she’s been part of the organization since the beginning. Kaye is one of the many parents that benefited from the fundraising event.

“Gary started an iPad fund and they were able to receive quite a number of donations towards iPads for individuals with autism who couldn’t afford one,” described Kaye.

She added, her son received one of those iPads.

“We were very grateful for that.”

With constant support from the community, Rednecks with a Cause has raised approximately $300,000. These funds are utilized to run multiple programs where they assist schools in buying better equipment, partner with the local FCSS for the Lego program to give lower rates to the children, and much more.

“This year alone we’ll probably raise over $100,000. That’s the response from the community and it’s amazing,” said Mostert.

They haven’t decided where the funding from this year’s gala will go quite yet, but, Mostert said they do have a few ideas.

“We’ll be brutally honest, we have not planned where that is going. The conversation is along the lines that we will get an application process in place for people to apply for grants in the Lakeland.”

From humble beginnings, Rednecks with a Cause showed the potential to raise awareness and money towards a great cause. They’ve set their sights on creating a sustainable environment for the children on the spectrum.

“Like any other society, we would like to grow, raise more money, and do bigger things,” said Mostert. “Our biggest goal right now, from this event forward, would be to improve our schools so that children on the spectrum can live as normal as possible lives in Bonnyville.”

Over the years, the organization has witnessed people turn down jobs in Bonnyville because of the lack of services. After that, Rednecks with a Cause decided to focus on that issue.

Mostert said, “One in 68 children are on the spectrum, and it’s our dream to create a sense of normal life for them, and we thank Bonnyville that they allow us to do that in the Lakeland.”

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