VOL. 67 NO. 48
T H E PA P E R T H AT ’ S G O I N G P L AC E S !
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014
Rock Outreach Center opening doors on Christmas Day meals have been served in the last 10 months alone, not including the annual suppers. “We see a lot of elderly and youth who are particularly vulnerable. There are bad situations at home or in their lives and this is the best place for them to be. We certainly don’t turn people away in need, that’s part of The Call,” Stefanec said. The Center’s walls house a donation operation which sees gently used items made available for families struggling through tough financial times. As the province grows, Stefanec said they’re seeing an increase in people coming out from the cities to the smaller urban communities as well. Personal and corporate donations given are put back into the community at a rate of 94 per cent, he estimated. “We love to have people here, we hope those that are alone on Christmas Day come out and join us. I know that the problems you see in cities with Michael Simpson Editor For some, Christmas is a difficult time. As the world rejoices and celebrates around them, that same sense of joy in others can serve to enhance the loneliness and isolation that those in the midst of personal struggle can feel. This is why for the past nine years, The Rock Outreach Center, headed up by Pastor Wes Stefanec, who is the Center’s Executive Director, has been hosting a Christmas Day Supper. “The idea is that people that will be alone on Christmas day have an alter-
native to that – even if you just come in to have coffee or dessert or just some human contact. Sometimes it’s not about the food; it might be that ten minute conversation at Christmas that keeps someone going after they’ve bottomed out.” Stefanec said that the day, which begins in the early afternoon, promises to be filled with fellowship and food, an open mic for the musically ambitious souls, prayer and sanctuary. The Rock Outreach Center’s doors have seen an average of 280 people a year over Christmas
Day and on other holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving. Now in its tenth year, Stefanec’s doorsopen event on holidays began at the former Pentecostal Church when he was a youth group leader. The first few suppers were held at the Elks Hall before Stefanec became ordained after completing his training and acquired the current building downtown on 50 St. As holidays come and go he said some faces that have walked through the doors have changed and some have stayed the same. Stefanec estimates that over 1400
homelessness, abuse, addiction – these things happen right here in our community. No place is immune to the effects of poverty, but when we have these kinds of events… well maybe we can make it easier for some, or help them turn it around. When you see people moving forward in their lives, it’s good to see.”
Ryan Mattigan owner of Chrysler dealership See page 2 for story
Roy Mills inducted into Alberta Baseball H.O.F. See page 11 for story
Town & Telus light up the holiday season See page 14 for story