Fundraising
Fundraising is a significant source of funding for the Patriots, helping to subsidize program costs and maintain the Club's relatively low fees compared to other swim clubs in Calgary. By participating in the Club’s fundraising initiatives, members contribute meaningfully to the Club’s success while enjoying the opportunity to connect with other Patriots members.
Casino Fundraising
All funds raised through casino fundraising and the casino buyout option paid by Club members go directly toward subsidizing overall Club costs.
Election at Registration
To access casino funding, the Club is required to supply volunteers to work casino shifts over a designated two-day period, approximately every 18–24 months. When registering for a swim season in which a casino is anticipated to be scheduled, members will be asked to choose one of the following options:
- Work a casino shift (typically 4–9 hours), or
- pay a $250* annual buyout fee, billed in September.
Since the upcoming casino is scheduled for August 2025, there will be no casino during the 2025–2026 season. As such, no election will be required at the time of registration.
Missed Shift Penalty
Families who elect to work a casino shift but:
- fail to sign up when required,
- withdraw from a scheduled shift, or
- do not attend their assigned shift,
will be charged a $400 penalty* to their Patriots account—unless they arrange for someone else to fulfill their commitment.
Changing Your Election
Families who originally chose to work a casino shift will be given a 7-day window to change their election once the casino dates are communicated to the membership. If the election is changed during this period, the $250 buyout fee* will be charged to their Patriots account.
Casino Volunteer Credit
Families who complete their assigned casino shift will receive a $75 credit on their Patriots account, in accordance with the maximum permitted under Section 4.3.3 of the AGLC Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook.
* figures are subject to change at the Club's discretion
** figures are subject to change at the Club's discretion and incomplance with the AGLC Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook
Bingo Fundraising
The Club relies on an ongoing team of parent volunteers to support bingo events held at Bingo Palace, located at 2604 35 Avenue NE, Calgary. (www.thebingopalace.ca). Proceeds from these events play an important role in helping to subsidize overall Club costs.
Bingo Details
- Each bingo event involves 5 Members working 5-hour shifts, with shifts being available approximately 2 to 3 times per month.
- To help ensure more members have the opportunity to participate in bingo events, each family may register for a maximum of one shift per month. The Bingo Coordinator will monitor registrations and may lift this restriction if needed.
- Volunteers may register for roles such as chairperson, paymaster, bingo verifier, or seller. The Bingo Coordinator and/or Chair may adjust these assignments as needed.
- The bingo dates will be shared with members via email over the summer and posted on the Club’s website. Members will be able to sign up for bingo shifts through their Patriots account, just as they do for swim meets and other club events.
- Once you sign up for a bingo shift, be sure to add the date and time to your calendar. The Bingo Coordinator will send you a reminder email during the week of your scheduled bingo, but it is ultimately your responsibility to arrive on time for your assigned shift. If you are unable to attend, please notify the Bingo Coordinator as soon as possible to arrange a replacement.
Bingo Volunteer Credit
Families are not required to work bingo shifts, but members who volunteer their time will receive a $75* credit per shift towards their Patriots account in accordance with the maximum allowed under section 4.3.3 of the AGLC Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook. If you’re interested in participating, contact the Club’s Bingo Coordinator, Nicole Goldmann, at bingo@calgarypatriots.com.
* figures are subject to change at the Club's discretion and incomplance with the AGLC Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook
Annual Bingo Schedule
Session | Date | Shift | Start Time | Sign-Up Opens | Sign-Up Closes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall Session | Sept 3 | Evening | 4:15 PM | Aug 1 @ 8 AM | Aug 31 @ midnight |
Sept 15 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
Oct 25 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Oct 10 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Oct 22 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Nov 8 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Nov 20 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Dec 8 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Dec 16 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
Dec 21 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Winter Session | Jan 13 | Evening | 4:15 PM | Dec 1 @ 8 AM | Dec 31 @ midnight |
Jan 20 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Jan 31 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Feb 8 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Feb 20 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Mar 18 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
Mar 22 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Mar 24 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
Spring-Summer Session | April 2 | Evening | 4:15 PM | Mar 1 @ 8 AM | Mar 31 @ midnight |
Apr 15 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
May 12 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
May 29 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
June 10 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Jun 28 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
July 11 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Jul 17 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Jul 25 | Afternoon | 10:15 AM | |||
Aug 3 | Evening | 4:15 PM | |||
Aug 13 | Evening | 4:15 PM |
Other Fundraising Initiatives
While participation is optional, additional fundraising opportunities are available for swim families to raise funds either for their personal Patriots account or for general Club funding.
For more information on these opportunities, please contact the Sponsorship & Gaming Officer at sponsorship@calgarypatriots.com.
Calgary Patriots "Skip the Depot" Fundraising is for a great cause! Your contribution supports our athletes and goes a long way in reducing our environmental footprint. How does it work? Just click here to donate, and Skip the Depot will collect, count and transfer the money to the Club or the account of your swimmer of choice. Help us create a greener and stronger community by participating in the Calgary Patriots "Skip the Depot" fundraiser.