Programs
World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s (WPCA) Race Against Hunger Program
presented by Encana
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s drivers are racing for more than bragging rights this year on the 2010 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour. As part of the new Race Against Hunger program presented by Encana, the drivers are working with local food banks in Grande Prairie, Drumheller, Ponoka, Strathmore and Dawson Creek in order to raise donations of non-perishable food for those in need. The WPCA and Encana is challenging local business, tarp sponsors and community members to collect and drop off as much non-perishable food as possible.
Food items are being collected at the front entrances, in an Encana natural-gas powered Dodge truck-turned-chuckwagon, converted to run on natural gas as part of the company’s shift to using clean burning energy to fuel its fleet vehicles.
World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) 4-H Encana Mentorship Opportunity
Well known for its contributions to a variety of programs and resources that support rural lifestyles, cultural programs and economic development, Encana continues to preserve and strengthen rural heritage by working with organizations such as the WPCA and Alberta 4-H.
Through its sponsorship of the WPCA 4-H Mentorship Opportunity (since 2005), Encana provides the WPCA an outlet to showcase its equine knowledge as well as the ability to sustain itself by introducing young and new people to the sport that might not otherwise have the chance to experience it.
Alberta 4-H registered 4-H members age fourteen and older with an interest in learning more about horses and chuckwagon racing are encouraged to apply to participate. 4-H members will be partnered with a WPCA driver in one of the Dodge Pro Tour stop location. This formed partnership between a 4-H member and a professional driver develops equine, chuckwagon knowledge while learning to do by doing. Members will actively participate behind the scenes with their WPCA mentor.
Tasks such as feeding, harnessing, cooling down, grooming and cleaning up for the horses. 4-H members become one of the WPCA drivers family.
4-H Members wishing to get involved should contact the 4-H Foundation of Alberta at: 1.877.682.2153 or foundation@4hab.com.
World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s (WPCA) UFA Community Ambassador Award
More than 100 years ago, UFA was founded on the principle that we can achieve far greater things as a group than we can as individuals. It’s the reason why UFA continues to promote, support, celebrate, and invest in Alberta’s rural communities today. The partnership with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) recognizes the importance of community and volunteering. We want to showcase the dedicated volunteers in the communities where the WPCA tour stops.
2008 was the first year for the WPCA & UFA Community Ambassador Awards and its success allowed us to continue the program. During the 2010 WPCA Tour UFA will recognize three (3) volunteers, at each tour stop, for their contributions to their community. Volunteers are the backbone of rural communities and the WPCA and UFA hopes to promote their importance through this award.
Volunteers chosen have gone above and beyond, encourage others to give back and continue to enrich the communities where they live, work and play.
WPCA & UFA Community Ambassador Award Criteria
Qualifications:
- Demonstrates leadership through volunteerism in the community;
- Promotes your community and your Ag Society;
- Has made a valuable and noteworthy contribution to the development and advancement of your community, local rodeo’s, and/or other local agricultural events;
- Demonstrates a true volunteer spirit;
- Demonstrates a passion for helping others become contributing members in agriculture;
- Demonstrates a giving heart and spirit on an ongoing basis.
Other factors in determining the WPCA & UFA Community Ambassador Award recipient:
- His/her reason for volunteering;
- The number of volunteer hours contributed by the individual; and
- The impact that he/she has made in the community through volunteerism.
If you have any questions regarding this program feel free to contact, Megan Cantwell, Coordinator, UFA Community Investment at 403-570-4204.
World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s WestJet Giveaways & WestJet Corporate Flight Challenge
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Aside from getting the WPCA staff, sponsors and spectators from show to show throughout the race season, WestJet has been a continuous supporter of the sport of chuckwagon racing since 2000. WestJet contributes annually by providing flights to the WestJet Corporate Flight Challenge and the WestJet Giveaway features.
The Corporate Flight Challenge has canvas sponsors that purchased three (3) or more canvases competing for a total of six (6) return flights by having the greatest total combined points. Points are derived upon from their team composed of personally selected chuckwagon drivers.
WestJet Giveaways, occur at each of the official tour stop locations, through fan incentives or sometimes volunteer recognition awards. One lucky spectator could end up with two (2) return flights “anywhere in WestJet’s world” courtesy of WestJet. Two flights were also drawn for amongst all the successful bidders that paid the night of the 2010 WPCA Dodge Pro Tour Auction. Also, the driver who wins the Clean Drive Award at the 2010 Years Ends Awards Banquet will also be the recipient of two (2) return flights “anywhere in WestJet’s world” courtesy of WestJet.