A jailbreak planned for May 12 will raise funds for two organizations.
Hosted by South Eastman Rotary Club the event will see prominent Steinbach and area citizens arrested and lodged in cells at Clearspring Centre. They will raise funds from their contacts to earn "bail money" and a chance at release.
Rotary Club Past President Leonard Klassen said the event will support Soup’s On Steinbach and relief efforts in Ukraine through the Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine.
Rotary Club contributes to programming both locally and internationally, and Klassen said this idea, which is new to the club, but not to the community, seemed to be a good fit.
Traditionally the club raises money through fundraising dinners. In the last year they even had a special event planned involving a partnership with the Mennonite Heritage Village and Steinbach Arts Council.
"Then COVID came along and none of this happened," Klassen said.
Some of those getting "arrested" will be escorted by RCMP from their place of business or home to the holding cells being specially built for the mall.
The list of potential prisoners is long and includes Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk, RM of Hanover Reeve Stan Toews, Steinbach Arts Council Director of Programming David Klassen, Relay for Life founder Cyndy Friesen, former mayor Chris Goertzen, radio personality Corny Rempel, Rona La Broquerie owner Farrel Rempel, and Phil Rempel of Signex Manufacturing.
Phil Rempel said his staff is already excited about seeing him get arrested and escorted away thanks to the RCMP.
"The day is going to be just hilarious," he said. "It’s going to be blast."
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 at Clearspring Centre near Dollarama.
Klassen said they’re excited about helping the community and those suffering in Ukraine.
"Our purpose as a club is to connect and make a difference," he said. "The need for helping others is always great."
Donations can be made out to South Eastman Rotary Club.