Lac La Biche Mission raising money for restoration

Lac La Biche Mission Historical Society is having their own 50/50 raffle.

Half of the proceeds will be going towards maintenance and restoration for the Mission as COVID-19 has greatly impacted the amount of visitors and events they can host, which in turn has impacted them financially.

“Usually in the summer time we have a lot of visitors and we have a lot of activities like Canada Day, but because of COVID-19, we had to cancel most of our activities,” said Christelle Shepherd, Site Administrator and Curator for the Mission.

“This summer we have had way less visitors so that equals less revenue and so we are just needing a little boost.”

The Mission was established in 1853, and Shepherd says that keeping up with such an old building is difficult.

“The historic site and it needs a lot of money for the maintenance of the building,” said Shepherd.

“Every year it’s ongoing, and with a site like this your work is never really done.”

Shepherd wants to remind residents of Lac La Biche that the upkeep of the Mission is the hamlets responsibility, and she is grateful for those who have contributed to the raffle.

“We want everyone to know that the Mission in Lac La Biche is everyone’s, we need to take care of it as a community,” said Shepherd.

“We don’t receive any recurrent funding from any agencies or the government, all of our funding is grant based, so it’s a bit of a struggle for sustainability. I am just thankful for the people who have started to purchase tickets for the raffle and we hope that many more do.”

To purchase tickets for the raffle, go to the Mission’s Facebook page.