TUC "The Big One" - A Look Back

TUC volunteers Stan Ainslie (left) and Bill Peters setting up the Bucket Raffle items, including a patio propane heat lamp.

The Trout Unlimited Canada 31st Annual National Conservation Dinner (Calgary) was another success story. Despite the current state of our economy, related to the fall in oil and gas prices, supporters of cold water conservation and the trout that live there stepped up to the plate once again.

Although the final numbers are not yet in, Director of Special Events Don Pike reports that the total funds raised may approach the $700,000 mark.

Dozens of volunteers, along with TUC staff, pitch in to make this happen.

One small group of volunteers shows up the morning of the event to set up and display all the donated items.

Dinner Committe volunteers organizing the Bucket Raffle donations. From left: Jack Fuller (Feature Raffles), Fred Caverley (Banquest Set-up) and Dave Byler (Chairman, TUC National Board of Directors)

 Silent Auction set-up underway

 Set-up volunteers taking a lunch break

 This unique prairie elevator bird house was handmade by Fred Caverley

 A "Fly Fishing Movie Madness" package was donated by Michelle Magotiaux/Bow River Shuttles. It included the four movies from Confluence Films - Drift, Rise, Connect and Waypoints.

The new tablet based Silent Auction bid system proved to be a hit. It allowed guests to bid on items right from their tables.

 This is what the Silent Auction area looked like once it had been all gussied up by the volunteers. Photo, courtesy Trout Unlimited Canada.