7 minute read
The Season of Giving
Town of Mundare Library to Offer Free Library Cards
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2024 anyone living in Mundare and surrounding area will be eligible to register at the library to receive a free library card. Existing library patrons’ memberships will continue with free library card at their expiry dates yearly.
Town of Mundare Library Board Chair Lillian Sabo told members of town council of the change during its Dec. 12 meeting and handed out free cards to each of them during her presentation. Sabo told council a number of other libraries are offering free library cards to patrons and board members have decided to follow suit.
Sabo noted that, “The Board has been considering the option for at least two years as we hoped to ensure the access to the Library was affordable and equitable for everyone. Free library service gives patrons access not only to books but also to several thousand items online like e-books, audio books, online magazines, cookbooks, “how to” resources; as well as internet access in the library.
The Board is now able to provide this service for a couple of reasons: 1) an increase in funding from the provincial government and town council; and, 2) we know have the support from the Friends of Mundare Library Society who is the fundraising arm of the Library.
The Lamont County Library Board also provides financial support to Lamont County libraries, including Mundare. Lamont County Library Board also accesses municipal and provincial funding to assist town and village libraries in the provision of library service to rural residents within Lamont County.”
Giving Back to Givers at Christmas
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Vegreville and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) presented its annual Holiday Party at Vegreville Centennial Library on Dec. 14.
This event included musical performances of Christmas songs by local musicians Robert Hughes, Randy Kereliuk and Colleen Albert. Refreshments were provided and small gifts presented to the volunteers who were in attendance.
Community Development Facilitator Elizabeth Koehler-Lenko coordinated this event with Community Development Coordinator Litania Sankey. Lenko explained, “We host this party to gather our volunteers, clients, and program participants as a way to build natural support and share in celebrating another wonderful year for our programs.
We invite volunteers from Meals on Wheels and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. We also invited the Meals on Wheels clients and participants from After Hours and Friend Den programs.
The highlights from the party were getting to put faces to the names on our delivery schedule. Not all our volunteers know each other, so connecting over their shared experience was nice.”
Our volunteers are in a unique role, they are participating in micro volunteerism. They dedicate their time once or twice monthly to do something that makes a real difference in our community. Vegreville has an incredible volunteer base and we are grateful to have volunteers that want to stick with us!”
Vegreville Royal Purple and Elks make Charitable Donations
Snow Angels Making a Comeback
Vegreville Adults & Seniors Taskforce - Submitted
Snow Angels are back! Why? Because there’s a new taskforce in town called Vegreville Adults & Seniors Taskforce (VAST), which has a simple goal: to build community connections and supports for adults of all ages. VAST grew out of two community engagement meetings facilitated by Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) earlier this year.
Together, community members and representatives from local agencies and organizations identified challenges that many adults experience in Vegreville. These challenges include a shortage of affordable housing, the need for more access to medical services and transportation, financial, technological, social and emotional barriers; built environment (e.g. uneven sidewalks, heavy doors that are hard to open) and a lack of available resources, such as personnel in some sectors.
VAST has chosen the Snow Angel program as way to begin building natural supports in the community. How does it work? Snow Angel volunteers will be matched up with community members who are not able to shovel their sidewalks this winter.
VegMin Learning Society has offered to match Snow Angels with those needing help. And if you would like to thank a Snow Angel in your neighborhood, let them know they can pick up a Snow Angel pin at the Vegreville Centennial Library as well as VegMin Learning Society.
Along with the Snow Angel program, VAST is co-partnering with FCSS to create a seniors help poster. The objective is to provide seniors in the community with a complete list of services they can access when they need assistance.
Christmas Benevolence
Brings Christmas Joy to Everyone
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Vegreville Christmas Bureau (VCB) helps people experience the joy of giving and gives the less fortunate a chance to have a feast and gifts at Christmas.
Volunteers for VCB assembled and delivered the hampers on Dec. 17. VCB Chairperson Joanne Veldkamp explained how their campaign went for 2023. “This year we delivered 169 hampers, up from 156 last year. This is the most hampers we’ve ever delivered.
Hamper recipients received groceries and hygiene items, Pot O’ Gold vouchers for each family member, library memberships, gift cards to Vegreville and District Co-op, and Adam’s No-Frills for groceries, and gifts for children under 18-years-old in the family.
The program is run by a volunteer board of 10 people who oversee the various aspects of the program. Additional volunteers assist in depot shifts, screening applicants, collecting donations, sorting toys and hampers, and delivering.”
Peggy Lobay said, “My husband, Don, and I have volunteered with deliveries of the hampers for many years.
As I entered semi-retirement I have become more active in the activities of the Christmas Bureau. I have taken over the role of shopping for the groceries for the hampers and assisting with toy shopping if required. This year was rewarding as it always is. I was able to work with other fabulous volunteers to fulfill the activities necessary to reach delivery day.
The VCB has a great dedicated team that does many activities behind the scenes and utilizes many wonderful community volunteers to assist in their roles. It is a ‘true treasure’ to see such kindness in our community and I am proud to be an active part of this non-profit organization.”
