Nanton fundraising calendar features comical photos of dedicated community volunteers

A fundraiser for the Nanton Skating Club has turned to calendars, recognizing a dozen community members who dedicate their lives to volunteering.

“The community voted on these guys that help all of the kids in the community, not just the skating club,” said board member Lorelle Holmes.

The club says it sought out community members to feature for each month in 2026.

Each volunteer was told to pose for photos in settings ranging from the farm to the golf course to the ice rink.

The winner of Mr. August appears in a bathtub with rubber ducks in honour of the rubber duck race held every August long weekend in Mosquito Creek.

“It’s a unique idea,” said Mr. August himself, Curtis Patton.

“It’s not something I’ve seen in the community.

“It’s something different than a raffle ticket that brings a bunch of the community members together.”

Holmes says about 150 calendars have been sold so far for $20 each.

She says they will keep printing more.

“Not only do people want to buy this calendar because it’s funny and it’s a little bit cheeky and we have these really handsome guys in our calendar, but they just want to support the club,” said Holmes.

Christy Patton came up with the idea to have the photo shoot, like calendars done by firefighters and police officers.

She says the community has responded well.

“Any way we can highlight people that volunteer in the community is so important because these people are the ones behind not just one project but several projects within our community,” she said.

As for the stars of the calendar, they are just thankful for being recognized.

“It’s pretty special,” said Mr. March, Greg Graves.

“It’s nice to be recognized, but it’s also one of those things—is it a trick?”

Peter Anderson must wait one year to see his face up on the calendar, representing the month of December.

He says volunteering is what bonds Nanton.

“No other town has this amount of support from its local people,” he said.

“I grew up in Nanton, so it’s engrained,” said Mr. June, Dave Mitchell.

“Everybody has given back to the community in the form of a service club or their time.”

Many say they are glad the unique fundraiser idea is going to support kids and the skating club.

“(It’s) just a really unique idea, and I really think it’s an awesome way to raise some money for one of the local clubs,” said Clayton Gillespie, who will feature next September.

Rory Duce is pictured in his Team Canada hockey jersey next to some Tim Hortons donuts while drinking maple syrup for the month of July.

“It’s a great town we live in,” he said.

“And to be recognized as someone that contributes, that’s worthwhile.”

Jordan Glass volunteers at the Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre.

He surfaces the ice with the Olympia, ensuring a fresh flood for each user group.

“Anything we can do to raise money for the community and help out or help kids and get things going is great,” said Glass, who is Mr. October.

If you are going to represent April, you must come with chickens and eggs to celebrate Easter.

Cale Place has volunteered with Big Sky Feeder Association and the Stavely Ag Society.

He’s thankful to be a small part of the fundraising efforts.

“Without this kind of stuff, a lot of these clubs just can’t carry on,” he said.

Calendars remain on sale and can be purchased through the Nanton Skating Club.

Photos were snapped by local photographers Devina Berger and Kevin Todd.