Watsonairs 70th Countdown : History of Fundraising!

For 70 years, the Watsonairs have not only delighted the Prince Albert community with their music but have also been renowned for their significant fundraising efforts. Their concert proceeds have supported numerous initiatives locally and abroad. Early concert programs reveal donations to major North American organizations and local causes. For instance, proceeds from the March 14, 1965 concert were donated to Shriners' Hospitals for Burned and Crippled Children, and a donation was made on January 6, 1971, for a piano for the Arts Center. Throughout the years, the Watsonairs have sponsored awards at the Prince Albert Music Festival, and purchased sound and music equipment for care homes and other venues, including the grand piano at the Rawlinson Centre. They have supported the Girl Guides, the Arts Centre, the Arts Council, the YWCA, the Victoria Hospital, group homes, and have funded musical instruments at Pine Grove, the Heritage Centre, Herb Basset Home, Pineview Terrace, Sherman Towers, and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. Additionally, they provide an annual scholarship at the Prince Albert Music Festival.

Gladys Strom (wearing glasses), Watsonairs choir director (1964-2005)

Money is raised every year at their Christmas Carol Festival (formerly the Rotary Carol Festival) and all of the proceeds have been donated to the  Salvation Army Prince Albert Community Ministries. The contribution supports the Christmas Cheer Fund, which helps provide toys for local children during the holiday season.

Photo on the left: cheque presented to Major Charlotte of the Salvation Army (Jason Kerr/Daily Herald ) . Photo on the right: cheque presented to Salvation Army officer Major Ed (Arjun Pillai/Daily Herald)

Annually, the Watsonairs select a charity to support with proceeds from their Spring Concert. Recently, funds have been directed towards furnishings and equipment for the Rose Garden Hospice and the new Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) facility in Prince Albert. This year, once again, proceeds will benefit the RMHC facility. Initially, concert promotions and ticket sales were advertised through posters in public buildings around Prince Albert. Today, the Watsonairs effectively utilize social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, alongside physical posters, resulting in increased donations, larger audiences, and a stronger online presence. If you are interested in making a Patron contribution to the Spring Concert, check out the poster below. For those of you who will be attending the concert on May 3, donations will be accepted at the door or can be e-transfered to watsonairs@gmail.com.

70 YEARS! 7 DECADES Watsonairs