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Vol. 11 Issue 7
11 years!!! g n i t a r b e l e C
December 2020
Family Organizes Christmas Hampers for A Dozen Families Rhonda Funk, the founder of a local facebook group the Rural Free Bin group back in 2013 has noticed a need for more community support to increase on the concept of “it takes a village”. “I understood the financial hardships many individuals face in various parts of our lives and the difference it makes to have a non-judgmental and pure supportive space to turn to no matter our social or financial status,” explained Funk. “I encourage the full circle of giving... we need those who are able to give to those who have a need. I feel it will come full circle as we keep alive the concept of giving.” “Over the years we have built friendships and made differences in each other’s lives,” said Funk. “Every year we try and host community swap free garage sale, 12 days of Christmas giveaways we engage the group in conversation. One year we did 21 stockings stuffed for those in need of a little help.” “This year I couldn’t do much for the group due to our world’s situation,” explained Funk, “realizing how many in various life situations were struggling
this year and many faced barriers to get the resources. With that, I decided that the holidays needed a little extra cheer. I started out with a goal of creating 9 hampers. I received 12 registrants and after telling the three additional families that they didn’t get in, it didn’t sit well with me, I was heart broken. But amazingly, I got messages from other community members asking what was needed to increase it to 12 hampers. Well, after I slept on it, I decided there
was no other option but to fulfill the new goal of a dozen hampers,” said Funk. “If you would like to help out I have created a donation list.” Here is the list… 1 litre juices, jelly powder, canned fruit in juice, Sidekicks, Hamburger Helper, instant oatmeal, 1 kg peanut butter, powdered pancake mix, stuffing, jams (open to homemade option), cookies (everyone needs to leave Santa cookies), cake mix, holiday candy, holiday chocolates or chocolate box, gravy mix packets or cans, cranberry sauce, tea box or bagged, boxes of scalloped or mashed potatoes, cold cereals - varying sizes and
varieties, oriental noodles, 4 litre cartons of milk, cheese slices, ground coffee, small jars of pickles (whole pickles not sliced), crackers, Christmas oranges boxes, cheese whiz (small containers), all kinds of beans, Lipton soups, cans of Ravioli or Zoodles or similar, hot chocolate, broth, any snacks - granola bars, apple sauces, nuts, fresh fruit and veggies, bread, cat food and dog food. “The group is also doing our gently used toy drive - toys, books, games as well. This is to encourage re-use and recycling,” said Funk. “We are in need of items for boys and girls, ages 6 to12. We are also in need of gift wrap, bags and or boxes.” Funks explains that this is just a guide of what she is looking for and encourages everyone that if you have other things to donate please don’t hesitate to contact her as she will take what you have to offer (Please make sure all is not expired). You can contact Rhonda Funk by Facebook message, rhonda_butterflywings@hotmail.com, 204-422-9848 or drop donations to the big bin by the Little Free Library located at 42139 Highway #1 east for contactless delivery. That site will be checked multiple times throughout the day.
Pattyn Ventures Adds to Hamper Creation... Encourages Other Business to Do the Same The entire Pattyn Ventures family, a Ste. Anne area business, has decided they want to help their communities! “We really need everyone’s help with this. We are asking that our loving supporters send us DMs of confidential examples of people who have gone through a difficult year,” explained their Facebook post. “With your nominations, we will choose 100 families to offer a basket full of healthy groceries to keep health a priority and help the best way we feel we can.” They are also looking for recommendations for local organic food options. “We will try to diversify our purchasing to help as many local small businesses
as possible,” they explained. “Please tag them in the comments [on our Facebook page] so everyone can see and share!” Lastly, they are encouraging another local business to match the challenge and run with the concept. This year has offered so much opportunity for those who were essential and we believe it is our social purpose to help out when we can explained Pattyn Ventures in the post. “We are blessed to all be able to look out our windows and appreciate we live in a safe place. Let’s stick together to overcome the challenges we continue to face and we will all celebrate, together, when it’s safe to do so again.”
Manitoba Public Insurance to Issue Second Round of Rebate Cheques For the second time this year, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) will be providing immediate financial relief to its policyholders, Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announcedy. MPI customers will receive a total of $69 million, which is about $100 per policyholder. This is in addition to the previous rebate of $110 million in May of this year and the corporation’s recent request of an 8.8 per cent overall rate decrease in its General Rate Application to the Public Utilities Board (PUB). “As this pandemic progresses, Manitobans continue to be financially impacted by this crisis,” said Wharton. “This second rebate will assist Manitobans as we all work together in getting through this challenging time in our province.” Policyholders can expect a rebate cheque at the end of December or early January, said Wharton, adding it is estimated about 675,000 cheques will be issued. This second rebate was made possible by the combination of fewer collision claims, about 20 per cent lower from mid-March to the end of October compared to the previous year and MPI’s forecast of collision frequency remaining favorable into the spring. Rebates will be based on what policy-
holders paid during this period and is expected to be about six per cent of their annual Basic Autopac premium. “As a proud Manitoba corporation, we are pleased with what we can do to help during this unprecedented time,” said Satvir Jatana, acting CEO and president, Manitoba Public Insurance. “This rebate to our customers is combination of fewer claims and our continued focus on fiscal prudence. MPI continues to operate in a high efficient manner, aimed at delivering value to Manitobans. Our financial responsibility is reflected in our daily running of our operations and practices.” Jatana explained that this second rebate should not have an adverse effect on MPI’s financial outcomes moving forward and request for an overall -8.8 per cent rate decrease application to the PUB. If approved, customers will pay, on average, about $110 less in premium. The new rates will take effect April 1, 2021. Under existing legislation, this rebate requires the approval of the PUB. MPI will apply to the PUB in the coming days. Details of the second rebate will be made in the coming weeks and further details will be available at www.mpi. mb.ca/Pages/Home.aspx.
Remote Learning for Two Weeks Following Holiday Break The Manitoba government is mandating a two-week remote learning period for grade 7 to 12 students and offering the same remote learning period for kindergarten to Grade 6 students, Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced. This two-week remote learning period will begin Jan. 4, 2021, following the regularly scheduled holiday break. “Current data indicates the risk of COVID-19 transmission in our schools remains low and we want to ensure the return to the classroom is as safe as practically possible,” said Goertzen. “By moving our grade 7 to 12 students to remote learning for the first two weeks of the new year and offering remote learning options to kindergarten to Grade 6 students, we are reducing the risk that may be posed as a result of a change in students’ close contacts during the winter break.” Students in grades 7 to 12 will move to remote learning for a two-week period from Jan. 4 to 15. Optional remote learning will also be available to kindergarten to Grade 6 students during this period should families wish to keep their children at home following the holiday break. Regular, in-person class-
room learning will be available during this period for kindergarten to Grade 6 students, as well as for any grade 7 to 12 students with special needs that must be accommodated in the school or classroom setting. This two-week remote learning period for grades 7 to 12 will keep close to half of the student population in Manitoba at home following the winter break. Evidence suggests that older students have a higher incidence of contracting the virus, a larger number of close contacts and are more likely to transmit the virus to others as a result. Moving this group to remote learning will reduce the risk of transmission in schools while minimizing the impact on kindergarten to Grade 6 students and their families. Manitoba school divisions have made significant enhancements to the remote learning experience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are well equipped for this mandated period of remote learning, the minister said. The Provincial Remote Learning Support Centre will be available to assist school divisions and educational staff during this remote learning period.
Christmas Tree Permits
Manitobans can now purchase their permits on the provinces new online elicensing portal to cut Christmas trees on Crown land, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced. “For many families, going into the forest to cut a tree for the holidays is a memorable tradition carried on for generations and for others, it may be their first experience,” said Pedersen. “Our government recognizes the holidays may look different this year from previous years. We want to ensure that Manitobans can access permits safely and securely from home, allowing them to carry on those traditions. Residents can now purchase their Christmas tree permits online using our new e-licensing portal.” After purchasing a permit for $7.95
+ GST, Manitobans can cut a coniferous tree up to three metres high, with a limit of one tree per household. Conditions for the permit include: • cutting shall be confined to the area stated on the permit, • the tree shall not be sold or bartered, • the permit shall be retained by the person in possession of the tree, • the permit shall be produced for inspection on request by a conservation officer, and • the permit expires on Dec. 31 in the year it is issued. Christmas tree permits can be purchased on the Manitoba e-licensing portal at www.manitobaelicensing.ca/licensing.page or through the call centre at 1-877-880-1203.