Epicurean Calgary

AN UPDATE ON EVENTS AFFECTED BY COVID-19:
ALMOST ALL EVENTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY, OR TO A SPECIFIC FUTURE DATE, OR HAVE BEEN CANCELLED COMPLETELY. INFORMATION ON EACH EVENT IS AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE. SOME EVENTS HAVE GONE VIRTUAL, SO IF YOU CAN JOIN THAT WAY, THE CHARITIES NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

Year Round

The Big Brave

Various locations

The Big Brave, formerly known as Shave Your Lid for a Kid®, is one of Kids Cancer Care’s largest fundraising initiatives, raising more than $14 million since its inception in 1998. Our Big Brave is successful because of you. Each year, hundreds of Albertans cut, colour or shave their lids for our kids. Your brave actions show moral support for the 190 kids in Alberta who are diagnosed with cancer each year, while raising money for camp, research, tutoring and scholarship programs for young people affected by cancer.

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January 2021

January 1-February 28, 2021

Ski For Heart 2021 (ONLINE)

Online

Registration:
By raising the minimum of $500 between September and January, participants are entitled to a special room rate at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, plus, you'll receive incentives to use at the Fairmont as your fundraising total rises!

Ski for Heart turns 45 this year, and it looks a lot different than the event we all know and love. While we can’t gather together in Canada’s winter wonderland of Lake Louise, we can continue to work together to beat heart disease and stroke. So this year, the Ski for Heart family can continue the great work we do together by fundraising and getting active in your own way – hiking, skiing, snowshoeing – you name it!
Between now and February 28, Ski For Heart is challenging you to go outside and get your hearts beating, all while helping to raise critical funds for Heart & Stroke. There’s no need to train or mentally prepare, just commit some time to be kind to your heart, mind and soul in your own way.
It’s fun and easy – plus you can use this site to support your fundraising efforts! Getting started is as easy as one, two, three:

1. Join Team
Click the “Join Team” button to create your fundraising page. Feel free to share your activity goal (Walk 10km, complete a 40km cross-country ski, etc.) and your reason for helping beat heart disease and stroke!

2. Fundraise
Send your fundraising link to friends and family and ask them to make a donation to support your pledge to Heart & Stroke to get active this Winter!

3. Celebrate
Take pictures and share your progress with your friends, family, AND Heart & Stroke! Share your virtual Ski for Heart experience on social media @heartandstroke and telling how you decided to help beat heart disease and stroke with the hashtag #HeartandStrokeBeatAsOne

Heart & Stroke Ski for Heart is more than an event supporting heart and stroke research. It’s a fundraiser rich in family tradition that has spanned over four decades, with supporters dedicated to eliminating heart disease and stroke, raising funds then celebrating their efforts at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to being a champion for health and supporting the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Ski for Heart has evolved over 45 years, but at its core is the gathering of Albertans who are passionate about the health and lives of their families and their communities.

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February 2021

February 1-28, 2021

Hypothermic Half Marathon 2021 (VIRTUAL)

Online

Virtual Hypothermic Half Events:
You can run from anywhere you are between February 1st to 28th.
Virtual run can be run or walked from any location you choose. You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and at your own time. There are no restrictions and your souvenir can be picked up at a Running Room location of your choice (for free) or directly shipped to you for a fee of $14.99. Free in store pickup will remain open until January 31st and the Direct to home shipping option will remain open until February 28th, 2021.
This is a capped event. Registration will stay open only as long as souvenir product is available.
Registration will close (product permitting) on the following dates:
Free in store pickup will close January 31st
Direct to home shipping will close February 28th (pending the event is not sold out)

Registration Fees: $45-$50
All participants will receive a limited edition Hypothermic Half camping chair, gloves and a Finisher Medal.

The Annual Hypothermic Half Marathon is a winter half marathon event held in beautiful winter cities across Canada.
Each registrant will receive a Commemorative Hypothermic Half package from the Running Room.
All Participants also receive a unique finisher’s medal.

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December 31, 2020-February 28, 2021

The Great Canadian Kilt Skate - Home Edition

Online

Due to public health restrictions, the February 7 community event at the Olympic Plaza has been cancelled.
Instead, join in for the Great Canadian Kilt Skate — Home Edition!  Details below.

New this year:
The Great Canadian Kilt Skate — Home Edition
Whether or not you can come to the Olympic Plaza event, we encourage everyone is encouraged to participate in the Great Canadian Kilt Skate: Home Edition. This is the kilt skate that can go ahead even in a pandemic.
“We may have masks on our faces, but our knees will be bare!”
Get on your tartan. Get out on the ice. Stay safe. And send pictures! Be sure to include these Hashtags to your social media posts so you're counted in the contest to see who wins the Kilt Skate Capital of Canada:
#kiltskate2021CGY
#OttScot
#ScotlandIsNow
Be sure to send your photos and videos to kiltskate@ottscot.ca.  Or tag them #kiltskate2021CGY
Stay healthy. Stay safe.  But get outdoors and have some fun, Scottish style.

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February 20, 2021

Coldest Night of the Year (VIRTUAL)

Calgary Downtown: Hosted by HomeSpace Society - KAIROS Calgary and Feed the Hungry
Calgary East: Hosted by The Mustard Seed Calgary
Calgary North: Hosted by The Brenda Strafford Centre

Route Options include:
2 km. walk
5 km. walk
10 km. walk

Virtual Walk: Participants will self-organize individually or in team bubbles selecting their own safe walk route near home at a time convenient for them.
Date: While everyone is encouraged to walk on the national event day of February 20, virtual fundraisers can select any day in February to walk if they wish.

No Registration Fee: The registration fee is no more! Everyone is welcome to come and support their local CNOY charity.
Thank You Toques: This year, participants who raise a modest minimum will receive their own CNOY toque as a thank you for fundraising! ($150 for adults 18 and over, $75 for youth 17 and under)

It's cold out there. The Coldest Night of the Year is a covid-safe, family-friendly walk to raise money for charities serving people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. Walk (virtually) on February 20 – there’s a place for everyone!
Calgary has a homeless population of approximately 3,000 according to the Calgary Homeless Foundation. Many agencies work with Calgary’s homeless citizens tobprovide them with food and shelter, recovery from addictions, transitions to housing, employment and good health. Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $33,500,000 in 149 communities across Canada.

Virtually The Same (but different!)
Covid-related health risks and operational challenges won't permit us to assemble in large groups in most locations this year. So instead, we will gather together safely, self-organizing individually or in smaller, covid-friendly teams as permitted.

Live programs that serve our homeless will be walking in solidarity with them on Saturday, February 20 by hosting and participating in Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY). Join in and experience a few hours of what it is like to be homeless on the streets of Calgary on a winter evening. By walking at dusk during a cold winter's night you'll feel a hint of the challenge faced by those experiencing homelessness during winter. And, by fundraising, you'll be contributing much-needed money to a charity in your town bringing hope and help to people in your community who need support.

KAIROS Calgary
KAIROS Calgary's Affordable Housing Working Group is committed to helping families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Their “A Place to Call Home” campaign provides capital funding for Bankview Apartments owned and operated by HomeSpace Society. This ensures that those in need will always have affordable housing available to them. “A Place to Call Home” also involves volunteering to support the residents at Bankview and 3 other affordable housing communities owned by HomeSpace. KAIROS Calgary brings together 10 Christian denominations and about 130 congregations to help families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. HomeSpace Society provides safe, appropriate and affordable housing for vulnerable Calgarians.

Feed the Hungry
If Sunday dinner is a tradition in your home, or if you have fond memories of special Sunday dinners around the table with family, imagine if all of that was stripped away and Sunday was just another day of searching for food and shelter.
At Feed the Hungry, they offer a family-style, sit down dinner each Sunday in an atmosphere of community, warmth, dignity, safety and respect. They intentionally strive to re-create that environment many of us remember so fondly.
Many guests come in after walking through harsh weather conditions. By participating in Coldest Night of the Year, you help raise funds to operate the program and also experience a small taste of what it means to experience homelessness during Calgary's often brutally cold winter nights. Walk with Feed the Hungry on February 20th. And remember, it's cold out there.

The Mustard Seed Calgary
The Mustard Seed in Calgary offers an expansive range of innovative programs and services, including education and employment programs, health and wellness services, basic needs through a shelter for 370 men and women, spiritual care and housing.
At The Mustard Seed, they recognize that the root causes of poverty and homelessness are complex and diverse, and so they continue to grow and evolve with the needs of those they serve.
Coldest Night of the Year is an incredibly valuable way for the Community of Calgary to partner with The Mustard Seed in experiencing a small part of what their guests endure. You, your family and friends are welcome to walk alongside The Mustard Seed at this incredibly important event.

The Brenda Strafford Centre
The Brenda Strafford Centre was established by The Brenda Strafford Foundation in January 1995 when it became apparent that there was a dire need in Calgary for longer accommodation for women leaving emergency shelters.
They are a second-stage shelter and progressive housing facility which operates to service individuals experiencing domestic violence. They provide a safe environment where our clients can heal, grow and ultimately find long term success after their stay at the centre.
The Centre consists of a variety of programs where trained professionals help clients work through their trauma, build self-confidence and self-awareness as well as providing childcare in a safe and secure environment. The Centre has 34 second-stage shelter apartments where families can stay for up to 6 months while receiving individualized counselling and parenting support.

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February 20, 2021

The Polar Plunge (VIRTUALLY)

Online

Registration:
With the ability to plunge virtually this year, you can now participate from anywhere! As always, creativity is highly encouraged, whether via costumes or virtual plunge ideas!

Cost:
Registration fees are set at $50, which means you will get your first incentive - a super awesome polar bear face mask - with your registration. The mask plus a $5 Tim Hortons gift card will be mailed to you within a couple weeks of registering. You’ll also get a $25 tax receipt automatically emailed to you upon registering, to whichever email address you registered with.
Plungers can raise additional funds, earning them extra incentives along the way. You can share your online fundraising page with friends and family to easily collect donations online, with tax receipts automatically emailed to your donors directly.
If you collect any offline donations, please fill out the Pledge Form and email us to coordinate collection of funds. A charitable donation receipt will be issued by Special Olympics Alberta for all cash and cheque donations over $25 where donors have completed their contact information in full on the pledge form.

Incentives
Individual plungers who raise funds will have a chance at the following incentives:
$50 Registration Fee — Polar Plunge face mask
$250 — All of the above and a 2021 Polar Plunge towel
$750 — All of the above and a 2021 Polar Plunge plush bath robe

The Polar Plunge Is Back For 2021  
You can once again take the Plunge in Alberta in support of Special Olympics Alberta – only VIRTUALLY! The Polar Plunge, presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, challenges ANYONE to bravely participate in this exciting and accessible fundraiser, while helping 140 communities across Alberta. It’s a great way for everyone - individuals, organizations, and teams - to get involved in support of Special Olympics and show winter who’s boss.

Safety First
Safety has always been the highest priority with these events, and this year is no different. With the ever-changing restrictions and environment due to COVID-19, Polar Plunge celebrations are moving to a virtual space, which is the safest option for us all! No fear though, as that just means we can all participate from the comfort of our homes in our pjs!
An important caution: Cold/freezing/frozen water presents obvious and not-so-obvious dangers and is risky at any depth to people of any age, mobility, or health status. You must – MUST – exercise caution and personal responsibility in your Virtual Plunge activities! SOMD cannot identify or control the risks of every Virtual Plunge activity and has not endorsed or approved as safe any particular Virtual Plunge activity.
Be smart, be safe, and be careful – for you and all who join you in your Virtual Plunge activity.  In whatever form your Virtual Plunge takes, follow all applicable water (and freezing water) safety and COVID-19 protocols. Have fun with it; but above all, BE SAFE.

Plunge Options
A virtual plunge will not only provide an option for those isolating, but will also expand the reach of the event to all corners of the province – and beyond! While virtual events are plentiful these days, there is no doubt that the creativity will be flowing for all those that choose to participate. There are no restrictions as to how to get your plunge done – whether snow angels, cold buckets of water, or in a kiddie pool in your backyard, the opportunities are almost endless! Have some fun and get creative!

In recognition of typical in-person celebrations, plunges will be recognized at these locations on the following dates:
January 31 - Edmonton
February 6 - Lethbridge
February 20 - Calgary
March 6 - Red Deer
March 13 - Medicine Hat

What's In It For Me?
Besides the pride you’ll feel when you get #freezinforareason, you’ll also deserve an extra pat on the back for helping out Special Olympics Alberta athletes during this long period of pause in their programming. Your support is helping develop and run virtual programming! Besides all the good feels, each registrant will also receive an automatic electronic $25 tax receipt and your registration-level incentive (a sweet Polar Plunge face mask) PLUS a $5 Tim Hortons gift card mailed to you within a couple weeks of registering.

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Click above to register, pledge, donate, or for more info.

Click above to register, pledge, donate, or for more info. 

Click above to register, pledge, donate, or for more info. 



Click above to register, pledge, donate, or for more info. 



Click above to register, pledge, donate, or for more info. 





Click above to register, pledge, donate, or for more info.