| Swift Current’s Salvation Army gearing up |
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| SW Sk Content - Arts/Lifestyles |
| Wednesday, 25 November 2009 23:45 |
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By Gail Jansen Swift Current Helping to ensure everyone has the chance to experience a merry Christmas, the Yuletide season got well underway this past Saturday as Mayor Jerrod Schafer officially cut the ribbon, opening the Salvation Army’s Miracle Room located in the Wheatland Mall. Also on hand for the opening was Duane Smith of JayDee AgTech, who in addition to contributing $1,000 as the first corporate sponsor of the year, has also provided the Salvation Army with the means of transporting the Christmas kettles used for fundraising, to and from their locations. With the economy the way it has been this past year, both corporate donations and monies raised through the annual Kettle drive, will be needed this year more than ever. “By all indication, the number of families needing help may well be up over last year,” says Community and Family Services Co-ordinator Betty Good. “I know our regular foodbank usage is up, so I assume it will be the same at Christmas time.” If not more so. While some may not visit the food bank at any other time of the year, choosing instead to struggle on stalwartly, Good says at Christmas time, the added pressure to provide more, often brings people in, who Good adds, “just need to have a break from the constant struggle.” “If anyone out there does find themselves in such a situation, we really urge them to take advantage of the hampers we offer. That’s what they’re there for — to help people going through a difficult stretch.” With a food and a gift component, aided by the Angel Tree and the annual Swift Current Bronco Teddy Bear Toss during the December 5th regular home game, the hampers says Good are open to anyone who needs them. “All anyone needs to do is to come in and pick up an application any time Monday through Thursday (during the weeks of Nov. 23rd, Nov. 30th, and Dec. 7th), fill it out, hand it in to me and they’re good to go,” says Good. “We don’t turn anyone away, because we find people don’t come in if they don’t need them.” Helping to supply the fresh meat and produce side of the hampers will be the annual Hutterite Day on December 10th, where members of local colonies come to donate garden vegetables, turkeys and chickens, to help the cause. Combined with other community initiatives such as the FCC Drive Away Hunger Campaign, and Safeway’s year-round bin donations, it all adds up, says Good to bring a little cheer to those in the community who otherwise might not have any. While last year more than 140 hampers were created and picked up, this year, Good estimates the number could rise to as many as 160 to 170. “Once we receive the applications, and the donations from the Hutterite community, we’ll start building the hampers with volunteer help on December 16th, to ready them for pickup by the 18th.” For Captain Michael Ramsay who, along with his family, is relatively new to Swift Current, the support he’s seen thus far from the community, gives him hope this Christmas season will be one of joy for all. “From what I’ve seen Swift Current really pulls together well,” says Ramsay. “In our short time here, we’ve really noticed how the people here, work and pull together and it’s really nice to be a part of that.” |
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