Galbraith fundraiser with Panago north Lethbridge location brings in $1,000

By Garrett Simmons
Communications Officer
Lethbridge School Division

The Galbraith Elementary School community really likes its pizza.
That might be a major understatement, after a fundraiser school council operated with Panago’s north Lethbridge location brought in a whopping $1,000.
On Wednesday afternoon, Sandy and Wade Pierson, franchisees of the Scenic Drive North location, stopped by Galbraith’s January Energy Day Assembly to deliver the cheque. Sandy Pierson said she was amazed at the support the fundraiser received.
“We ran out of dough in three hours,” she said, as Panago began to receive orders at about 11 a.m. for the Jan. 20 fundraiser. “We prepared three to four times more dough than we normally do, but we had no idea how amazing the Galbraith community is. I have never witnessed that in all my years.”
She added the success of the fundraiser was something new for her in 40 years in business.
“We were so busy we had all of our staff on,” said Pierson, as she added the fundraiser had to be carried over to Jan. 21 due to the overwhelming amount of pizza orders. “The community was amazing. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
It was one of the most supported Panago fundraising campaigns ever in Canada, according to Pierson, who added 120 orders came in over the first three hours. A total of $788 was raised on the first day, as funds trickled in on day two, before Panago rounded up to make the grand total $1,000.
Galbraith parent council treasurer Nicole Kowal was proud to see the strong support the community put behind the fundraiser.
“I was blown away,” said Kowal, who added the school has a very small, but dedicated, parent council.
She added parent council will now work on distributing those funds, as she noted things like field trips, the maker space in the school’s learning commons and musical instruments are all potential uses for the money.
“All of the money raised will go directly back to students at Galbraith Elementary School.”