The Times - Friday, February 3, 2017 A15
Festival of Trees donates to two community groups The Festival of Trees committee (at left), which includes Michele Hoffos, Maureen Ellis, Sharon Schauenberg, Diane and Paul Topola, Patti Batty, Linda Hall, Lois Marit and Erin Eberle, made two major donations to the South Country Health Care Foundation and the Prince of Wales Complex during the month of January. The Festival of Trees event, held on December 3, raised a total $60,000 with half going to the POW and half to the SCHCF. The South Country Health Care Foundation received a $30,000 donation from the Festival of Trees Committee. Jody Juell, chair of the South Country Health Care Foundation, noted that the funds are used for patient needs within the health region. In the past, the festival’s donations have helped to purchase heart monitors, items for home care and other equipment. “They are for the benefit of the pa-
tients,” added Juell. The South Country Health Care Foundation has been registered as a corporation since 1995. The Prince of Wales Complex received a $30,000 donation from the Festival of Trees Committee. “The POW management Board and myself would like to give a huge thank you to the Festival of Trees Committee, and to all of those who participated in the event, for their continued support of the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre,” said Kaylee Scheur from the Prince of Wales Complex. She added that this donation will help with the POW’s upkeep so that it remains a beautiful facility for residents and visitors alike. The Festival of Trees is an annual community fundraiser that includes a supper, silent auction, raffles and dance. The Festival of Trees has been taking place for the past 18 years.
Assiniboia Legion donates to care home The Royal Canadian Legion branch in Assiniboia made a $3,600 donation for patients at the Ross Payant long-term care facility in Assiniboia. The Legion purchased a large volume of adjustable tables on wheels in October 2016 using the proceeds from its Poppy Fund. The tables were then donated to the Ross Payant nursing home for the benefit of the patients. The Poppy Fund is used to assist veterans in Assiniboia in their daily living, which benefits others in the community too. The Poppy Fund comes from collected donations in its boxes for poppies and wreaths used prior to and on Remembrance Day. Also, the Legion receives individual
donations made to the Legion Poppy Fund. Remembrance Day on November 11 is the biggest day of the year for the Assiniboia Legion. The Legion’s membership sells wreaths to local businesses and poppies through its poppy drive. The branch has about 50 members and its president is Rita Walters. It shares building space with the Assiniboia 55 Club. R eg u l a r m e m b e r s of the Legion are those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces or served in wartime. Civilians can also join the Legion as associate members. The Assiniboia Legion holds activities and fundraisers during the year such as bingos, a tea and a potluck dinner.
Photo by Marusia Kaweski
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Assiniboia Branch donate to the Ross Payant care home. From left are Carolyn Henderson, Marlene Hawkins, Shirley Delorme, Gerald Seivewright, Loretta Feser, Robert Sinclair and Maria Tubbs with donated tables. At centre is Kaitlyn Kozma, recreation coordinator at the Ross Payant long-term care facility.
Hills of Home plans to build on successful supper Darlene Wasyluk, manager of the Salvation Army accepted a donation to the food bank in Assiniboia from Jeanette Mondor from the Hills of Home Club during a presentation on January 23, pictured at right. The Hills of Home Club in Willow Bunch have been able to make a donation of both food items and cash to the local food bank at the Salvation Army in Assiniboia following its winter fundraising activities. Traditionally, the club has operated as the local seniors’ club in Willow Bunch. Each year it has hosted a Christmas dinner and gift exchange for its members. This year, the club’s board of directors decided to try something new and opened the dinner to all members of the community. In lieu of the usual Christmas gift exchange, guests attending the dinner were invited to bring non-perishable food items to donate. Attendees would also have their names entered in a draw for a prize. The Hills of Home Club brought its idea to fruition and hosted its first annual Community Christmas Dinner on December 1 in conjunction with the local Tourism Board’s “Alight the Night”. It was an uplifting feeling for the club to see the community come together in the spirit of the season. The local response was more than the club expected. “It is gratifying to see different local organizations working together for the betterment of our community. The
response from the community far exceeded our expectations,” said chair Jeanette Mondor. The dinner event served over 100 people. “This event is something we should repeat annually, although we may have to increase the seating capacity for the dinner so as not to have to turn people away in future
years. Remember, even small communities can do great things,” added Mondor. When the tally was complete, the Hills of Home Club was able to donate 20 bags of non-perishable food items and $500 from the proceeds of the dinner to the Salvation Army food bank in Assiniboia. “This would not have been possible without the support of the community.” The Hills of Home Club is committed to providing community events and programming to the community at large throughout the year as well as specialized senior’s programming for their membership. For example, the club holds bingo day at the hall in Willow Bunch on the third Sunday of every month. The funds raised go towards the maintenance of the hall and programming for the Willow Bunch community. The Hills of Home Club also keeps a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hills of home club) where they provide updates on their activities. The Salvation Army Food Bank in Assiniboia serves a broad area of 30 other communities around Assiniboia and includes Willow Bunch. These communities are: Ardill, Bengough, Congress, Coronach, Ferland, Fife Lake, Fir Mountain, Glentworth, Gravelbourg, Killdeer, Kincaid, Lafleche, Limerick, Lisieux, Mankota, Maxstone, Mazenod, McCord, Meyronne, Mossbank, Palmer, Readlyn, Rockglen, Scout Lake, Vantage, Verwood, Viceroy, Willow Bunch, Wood Mountain and Woodrow.