Three local non-profit organizations, including one from Eatonia, are a few thousand dollars richer thanks to a rally of support from their communities. After 10 barbecues in 10 communities and thousands of votes later, the winners have been declared for this year’s Small Town Showdown.

The voting-based competition not only raised money for each of the communities non-profit organization of choice through money earned at each individual BBQ, but also allowed communities a chance to compete for up to $5000 in additional prize money.

First place, and the $5000 grand prize, went to Lucky Lake who garnered 11,745 votes. Second place went to Central Butte who received $3000 for their 9765 votes, and in third place was the west central community of Eatonia who collected 4937 votes, awarding them $2000.

Eatonia’s non-profit of choice was the Eaton School’s after school Power Hour program, which looks to provide fun, learning and community support for children in grades 1-4.

“It’s a boys and girls club, and the idea is not to charge and fees so everyone can come. We do everything from sports and games to crafts and volunteer at the EOL [Eatonia Oasis Living]. Another idea we had, now that we have some funds, we wanted to take them swimming or some other exciting things, the sky is the limit,” said Shelley Follensbee, one of two coordinators for the program.

The program has been running for approximately 10 years and Follensbee said herself and Julie Nunweiler, wanted to provide experiences and fun for the younger kids in the school, as the students in Grade 5 and above are able to participate in sports and other activities.

She said there are anywhere between 20 and 25 children in the program and both her and Nunweiler wanted to say a big thank you to all who came out to vote and support the program through the BBQ, stating “we always have a lot of team spirit in Eatonia and we are just very thankful”.

The event was hosted by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Gowan Canada, and Golden West Radio.

Phil Deobald with Gowan Canada said that the participation in the event was excellent.

"[It's] our third year going into it, so it seems like the momentum keeps picking up every year, and great community support. [We're] really happy with the amount of people that came out to all the charity BBQs on top of the online votes, on top donations."

Over 1,000 people were in attendance and raised just over $16,500 combined between all 10 communities that hosted.