Restrictions on gathering sizes and a lack of groomed trails this year are not enough to stop the Arcola Optimists Club from holding their annual sled rally and raising money for community initiatives on Saturday, January 30. They won't have a sanctioned rally this year, but they do have over $10,000 in prizes this year and a number of places in need of funding to support according to Club President Blake Brownridge.

"We always have a project picked for what we're going to support and this year two the two things that we're going to directly fund right away will be our theater that we run volunteer here in Arcola, and we run the Legion Hall. We keep it up and look after it. So then after that, we've included all our service clubs that would normally help us with selling tickets, etc, so they will get their contribution directly to them like they always do, and then after that, we will be taking letters and requests and stuff like that once the economy opens back up."

As for the support they've seen so far, it hasn't faltered a bit despite the lack of an actual gathering and planned course for a sled rally. People from all over the area of Arcola, Carlyle, and Lampman have been donating what they can through sponsorships and prizes to make sure the virtual event can still go through, and the ticket sales have been going well so far too.

"On a normal year we're between 285-385 the last couple of years. Some years we've been higher, it'll just really depend on us getting it out there, getting the words out. We have around $10,000 prizes to hand out and so the more people that register the better."

The biggest challenge this year was making sure they can set things up officially online to register, which can be done by heading to their Facebook page by clicking here once signups start on Tuesday.

"We've had a few challenges. We've worked hand in hand with our Rec director here in town and we've been able to do it. The uncertainty of just what is going to be around the corner for Saskatchewan people in general, and all this with fundraisers and stuff has been a challenge. We started this about September 5th and not being able to really know what we could do until last week. It has been a real challenge but we will get through it. With the support and stuff we've had it, it's been good and I'm sure we'll have lots of great support next week and it'll be very successful."

While trails aren't groomed this year, there is enough snow (as of now) in the Arcola area to go for a ride and there are still ways that the Optimist Club is encouraging people to get in on the fun with through the magic of social media.

"If they're out riding on that Saturday, you go onto our Facebook page and throw a picture of yourself, your family, then tag us in it and we'll do it online."

Brownridge encourages anyone interested in signing up to either visit their Facebook page above, or give him a call personally at 306-577-9904 and you can set things up to get started.