[Canada's] Local group hosting fundraiser for Cambodian projects

Submitted Photo, Airdrie not-for-profit organzation, Carpenters 4 Cambodia are hosting a comedy fundraising event at the Airdrie Legion, Oct. 18. The group has worked on a number of projects in the Southeast-Asian country, including a school and rejuvenation of an orphanage.

Nov 08, 2012

By Dawn Smith 

Airdrie City View 

 

Airdrie residents looking for an evening filled with laughter, while supporting a good cause, are encouraged to attend Comedy 4 Cambodia, Nov. 18 at the Airdrie Legion.

The event is being put on by Carpenters 4 Cambodia (C4C), a local non-profit group dedicated to building and repairing orphanages, schools and family homes for the poor and handicapped people of Cambodia.

“We are three local Airdrie guys who have families, working stiffs just like anyone else,” said Bruce Peters with C4C. “In our spare time, we try to do some pretty amazing things halfway around the world.”

The group also works to create awareness about the problems in the Southeast-Asian country and has worked with local schools, such as Ecole Airdrie Middle School, to spread the message.

The group started off when Todd Enquist, C4C’s director general, saw a need while visiting Cambodia in 2006.

C4C became a registered charity in 2008 and members have been involved in a number of projects in Cambodia including constructing a school house, renovating an orphanage and building a room for use as a computer lab. It also supplied computers to a Cambodian orphanage.

The three C4C members, who include Enquist, Peters and Jamie Moorhouse, have a long-term goal of building a school and medical clinic that is self-sustained with solar energy. The group is hoping to add a water purification system to the project, which C4C estimates will cost more than $100,000.

Peters said funds raised at Comedy 4 Cambodia will be used for future projects.

Last year, the group held an event at Dick’s Pub and that raised $1,000 and attracted more than 100 people. Peters said the group is hoping to match that amount this year.

The show, which will start at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m., will feature comedian Trent McClellan and friends. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Peters said the show is appropriate for those ages 18 and older.

The group is also giving away two plane tickets for anywhere Air Canada flies in North America, including Mexico, the Carribean and Hawaii. Tickets for the raffle and event are now available for $20 at the Airdrie Legion or at c4cairdrie.eventbrite.ca

Peters encourages residents to attend the event.

“Come out and have a good time, have some good laughs and in the process you are supporting a small, Airdrie organization,” he said. “To be able to have the means to go over there and actually see the difference that we are making, to help out those people that are far worse off than us is immensely fulfilling.”

For more information about the group, visit www.carpenters4cambodia.org

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