Manitoba Wildlife Federation’s Wild at Heart banquet sees highest-grossing auction ever

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation held its 10th annual Wild at Heart fundraising banquet at Winnipeg’s Victoria Inn on October 28, and by all accounts it was a resounding success. With more than 400 people in attendance, the event featured numerous draws and prizes, as well as silent and live auctions.

According to the MWF’s event and membership coordinator, Dawn Scarfe, the banquet also provided a valuable opportunity for members to connect in a social setting. “A lot of our affiliate clubs attend, so it’s nice for them to get together with us,” she says.

Cabela’s Canada donated the three grand prizes for the draws, including gear packages for waterfowl, camping and ice fishing. The live auction, meanwhile, featured a wide variety of items, including a custom firepit, a hand-forged knife and trips to Africa and South America. While the amount of money raised wasn’t available at press time in November, Scarfe says the live auction was the highest-grossing auction the MWF has ever hosted.

All proceeds from the event will be used to fund the MWF’s various programs, including First Shot, Becoming an Outdoorswoman, mentored hunts throughout the year, hunter education and the group’s annual ice-fishing festival.

According to Scarfe, the event’s volunteers are credited with how smoothly the night went. “They were outstanding this year,” she says, adding that the date for this year’s banquet is being pushed back to avoid a conflict with the fall hunting season. “We’ve usually had it October, but we’re moving the date closer to the end of hunting season, so people should be happier” That date? November 23.

Learn more about the MWF’s programs and positions at www.mwf.mb.ca.