Okotoks Shorts: The Heart Behind Okotoks Got Talent

What happens when a town’s biggest hearts meet its biggest talents? 

In this Okotoks ‘Shorts’ episode, host Carlin Lutzer sits down with Meg Meints from the Okotoks United Way Partnership Committee to spotlight the return of Okotoks Got Talent…a high-energy, community-powered fundraiser making a real impact. 

Since 2002, the committee has donated an incredible $1.7 million to local nonprofits, and last year alone raised nearly $15,000 through the inaugural talent show. 

Now back for its second year, the event is growing in popularity with 30 submissions, ranging from singers and comedians to bands, dancers, and even a geography whiz who named over 100 world flags from memory. 

The March 6th event at the Viking Rental Centre will feature 12 finalists, a live audience, a returning champion turned judge, and a new live auction of local experiences. 

More than just a show, Okotoks Got Talent is proof that when a community comes together, the impact stays local and the difference is life-changing.

Listen For

2:09 Why Was Okotoks Got Talent Created as a Major New Fundraiser?

3:47 What Types of Unique Acts Auditioned This Year?

6:26 How Will the Event Raise $20,000 This Year?

7:05 Why Is This Talent Show So Important to the Mission of the United Way?

 
Guests: Meg Meints, Okotoks United Way Partnership Committee

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Transcript

Announcer (00:01):

Welcome to the Okotoks Podcast where the stories are real. The laughs are accidental and Carlin Lutzer Real Estate makes it all possible.

Carlin Lutzer (00:22):

Today on the Okotoks shorts, tickets are officially on sale for this year's Okotok's Got Talent, a family friendly night celebrating local performers while raising money for the United Way and Okotok's partnership. Since 2002, this partnership has raised 1.7 million for local programs with every dollar staying right here in Okotoks. After raising nearly $15,000 last year, the goal is 20,000 this year. One stage, plenty of bragging rights. Let's get into our conversation with Meg Meints. Meg, thank you for joining me today.

Meg Meints (01:02):

Great. Thank you for the invitation. It's a pleasure to be here.

Carlin Lutzer (01:05):

Yes. And for anyone who's just hearing about it, about Okotok's got talent, how did this partnership between the United Way and Okotoks come together?

Meg Meints (01:19):

The Okotoks United Way Partnership Committee has been around since 2002, and it's donated so far $1.7 million to the Okotoks and area nonprofit societies. The inaugural talent show was in 2025, and we managed to raise almost $15,000 last year.

Carlin Lutzer (01:42):

Okay. Wait a second. $1.7 million since 2002, and you've donated that to things in Okotoks?That's unbelievable. That's amazing.

Meg Meints (01:56):

That's correct. Yes. The need continues to grow. So we decided last year that we needed another major fundraiser, and that is how Okotok's Got Talent came about.

Carlin Lutzer (02:09):

Right. No, $15,000.That's amazing. So now I hear that submissions, and I've heard this a little bit through the grapevine, and it's kind of left me a little bit angry that submissions are now closed. And because Oliver heard me sing on the weekend, and I know that Oliver, Councilor Oliver Hallmark, is a big part of this event as well. And I would've thought after he heard me sing on Friday night at the Rotary event that they would've opened up submissions again, but I guess not.

Meg Meints (02:41):

I'm sorry to hear that, Carlin. We would've loved to have had you at the event. Next year. Yes.

Carlin Lutzer (02:47):

Next year. Okay. All right. There's always next year for sure. So Meg, now submissions are closed. Now, what does the event look like? Can you walk us through the next few stages of the event?

Meg Meints (03:00):

Certainly. On Thursday evening, the Okotoks Committee will be meeting to review the submissions and narrow it down to the final 12 contestants.

Carlin Lutzer (03:11):

Okay. And how many contestants, how many submissions were there?

Meg Meints (03:14):

We received 30 submissions this

Carlin Lutzer (03:16):

Year. 30. Okay. Did you receive more than last year or is it a growing event?

Meg Meints (03:21):

We did receive a couple more than last year. So interest is growing in the community. And I have to say it's a difficult process to narrow it down. The talent in Okeetokan area is incredible.

Carlin Lutzer (03:36):

Yeah, I know. Being at different events and hearing different people sing or different acts or whatever. Now, is it predominantly singing acts or is there a variety of acts?

Meg Meints (03:47):

Oh, we received a variety of acts. There's comedic acts, singing, a couple of bands. We had a violin group enter as well as dancing. And last year we had one young chap, I believe he was in preschool or kindergarten. He named over a hundred world flags in under five minutes.

Carlin Lutzer (04:09):

No way. Well, that's crazy. Yes.

Meg Meints (04:12):

He came in second last year and apparently he's still sleeping with his trophy.

Carlin Lutzer (04:16):

Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure I would be too if I won that. I don't know if I could do ... Embarrassingly, I don't know if I could do 25 flags, let alone what he did.

Meg Meints (04:25):

No, I thought I was good at geography, but there were flags of countries that I didn't know existed.

Carlin Lutzer (04:30):

Yeah, for sure. Now, who was the winner last year?

Meg Meints (04:35):

Was a young fellow named Wilson who sang for us. And this year he is coming back as a judge of the event.

Carlin Lutzer (04:42):

Oh, really? Very cool. That's awesome. Now, what is the winner awarded with once they win?

Meg Meints (04:50):

Oh, yes. A coveted Okatog's Got Talent Trophy.

Carlin Lutzer (04:54):

Nice. And bragging

Meg Meints (04:55):

Rights, of course.

Carlin Lutzer (04:56):

Bragging rights, absolutely.That would be huge. And last year you would've had 12 actors. You would've had 12 submissions. What are we calling them? You would've had 12 participants?

Meg Meints (05:12):

12. Last year we actually had 18 acts.

Carlin Lutzer (05:16):

18.

Meg Meints (05:16):

And we found that the event went on for too long for some

Carlin Lutzer (05:19):

Families. Yes.

Meg Meints (05:20):

So we were narrowing it down to 12 acts this year.

Carlin Lutzer (05:24):

12 acts, for sure. So you got 12 acts. And when is this event taking place and where can people get tickets for?

Meg Meints (05:34):

So the event is Friday, March the 6th at 6:00 PM at the Viking Rental Center. And people can go to our website at okotokes.ca/talent for all the ticket information.

Carlin Lutzer (05:50):

Right. No, and no doubt the majority, obviously there's going to be a few costs as a result of the evening, but the majority of the proceeds will go to the United Way. And again, blown away. Last year they made $15,000. This year, one point in total since this partnership has started, I'm just blown away by that stat, $1.7 million, which is unbelievable. So people can get tickets. What else can they expect when they come to this event on March the 6th?

Meg Meints (06:26):

This year, in order to up the fundraising, our goal this year is at least $20,000. And we will be offering an auction of experiences and special items from the Okotoks business community.

Carlin Lutzer (06:40):

Right on. So that will happen about halfway through the event or?

Meg Meints (06:45):

We'll be doing it between acts as we're changing the

Carlin Lutzer (06:48):

Stage. Okay. Last

Meg Meints (06:49):

Year we had a bit of dead airtime and our MC Kyle was great at filling that, but I'm sure he'll appreciate having the auction this year.

Carlin Lutzer (06:58):

Yes, absolutely. So Meg, why is an event like this important to the mission of the United Way?

Meg Meints (07:05):

This hits several spots for the United Way. It is a great family event, which brings something to the town of Okotoks. And again, last year we were able to distribute $90,000 to organizations in Okotoks. However, our grant requests were $150,000. So the need continues to rise to support the social needs of Okotoks and area residents. And that is our mission is to do that.

Carlin Lutzer (07:36):

Right. No, and it certainly sounds like a great thing. Sounds like a great partnership that you do have with, I believe you're calling it the United Way Okotoks Partnership Committee. Is there other things that you guys do throughout the year, or is this predominantly what you guys focus in on to raise funds?

Meg Meints (07:56):

Yes, this is our major fundraiser of the year.

Carlin Lutzer (07:58):

Right. No, that's awesome. Well, I look forward to being out there Friday, March the 6th at 6:00 PM. And I think it should be a great evening. So Meg, I appreciate your time today. Appreciate what you do for the community. There's so many different service organizations in this great town, and so many of them, no doubt, receive the benefits of the United Way as you guys do support a multitude of service groups and organizations that need a hand. So we do thank you for what you do and for your service to this community. And I think before we started record, one thing that you wanted to make sure our listeners know is that this money stays local. It doesn't go to the Calgary chapter of the United Way. It stays local. And I think that's very important for the listener today.

Meg Meints (08:53):

Yes, correct. Thank you.

Carlin Lutzer (08:54):

Yes. Thanks, Meg. I appreciate you very much.

Meg Meints (08:57):

Great. Thank you, Carlin. Have a great day. Okay. You too.

Carlin Lutzer (09:09):

Okaytok's Got Talent is more than a show. It's community in action. Join us at the Viking Rental Center. Doors open at 5:30. Tickets are $44.15 for a family of four, $17.81 for adults, $12.53 for children and senior. Every dollar raise stays local and supports Okotok's nonprofits. Grab your tickets, bring the family, and we'll see you at the show.

Announcer (09:41):

That's it for today's episode of the Okotoks Podcast. Big thanks to Carlin Lutzer Real Estate for making it happen, and thanks to you for listening.