Lethbridge & District Exhibition donates more than $18,000 to Lethbridge & District International Baseball Foundation
Lethbridge, Alta. – A great display of teamwork has resulted in a delicious victory for both Whoop-Up Days visitors and a local baseball program. Dozens of volunteers from the Lethbridge & District International Baseball Foundation stepped up to run the popular Jumbo Ears booth during this year’s Whoop-Up Days. The outcome of the charitable partnership is an $18,590.36 donation from Lethbridge & District Exhibition to the Lethbridge & District International Baseball Foundation’s High School Academy.
“The volunteers from the Lethbridge & District International Baseball Foundation were among the hardest workers at Whoop-Up Days over the five days of the fair,” says Mike Warkentin, CEO, Lethbridge & District Exhibition. “With record crowds, the line to get Jumbo Ears was never-ending, but the volunteers just kept going and provided visitors with our signature tasty treat. We’re thrilled to present them with this well-earned donation and thank them for their contributions to Whoop-Up Days.”
Lethbridge & District International Baseball Foundation was created in 2021 to bring Lethbridge’s best high school baseball talent together as the Lethbridge Longhorns. With Spitz Stadium as their home field, the Longhorns goal is to support high end young talent, developing team members into great citizens, players, and students who are destined to play collegiate ball in the United States and Canada.
“We had a great time working the Jumbo Ears booth again this year,” says Chance Wheatley, Longhorns head coach. “This a great fundraiser for us as it goes a long way in helping us keep fees affordable. We want to thank everyone for supporting us as well as everyone's kind words during the event.”
Jumbo Ears are a long-standing Whoop-Up Days favourite, with many visitors including a Jumbo Ear as part of their must-have lists when they visit the fair. Not only a tasty treat, Jumbo Ears also help highlight the Southern Alberta food story, as ingredients are locally sourced and donated, including canola oil from Richardson Oilseed, flour from P&H Milling, and sugar from Lantic/Rogers.
A record 77,263 visitors attended Whoop-Up Days from Aug. 22 to 26. Jumbo Ears is part of a charitable giving campaign associated with Whoop-Up Days that includes the Lethbridge & District Exhibition 50/50 Lottery and pancake breakfasts, BBQs and other events that raised more than $68,000 for local charities in 2023.