But meals haven’t always been its focus. Warm Welcome started in 2012 as a shelter, providing a place to stay for the homeless in the community during the winter months. Not only was it a refuge for those who couldn’t afford a place to live, but it was a needed service for those who came to the community to work but couldn’t find a home at a time when Estevan had no available rental properties. But in the fall of 2017, Warm Welcome pivoted, and switched its shelter to a community kitchen, where people come to enjoy a hot meal and fellowship.
Kettles raised $26,300. The goal was $20,000. The kettle campaign ran from Dec. 2-24, and kettles were once again set up at the Southern Plains Co-op, Walmart, Clifton’s No Frills, the Estevan Market Mall and the government liquor store, although they had reduced hours from previous years. Supporters could make donations beyond cash or cheque this year. The letter appeal generated $75,100. The goal was $60,000. A few cheques have been coming in this week to add to the total. Money raised from the kettles and the letter appeal will go to support the Salvation Army’s different initiatives in the community. “We want to thank the volunteers who participated in either standing at a kettle or sending in monetary donations,” said Ronza Reynard, the community ministries director for the Salvation Army in Estevan. “We are always amazed at what a generous community that we serve in. Estevan and surrounding communities continue to step up and help their neighbours.”
The association filled nearly 400 hampers this fall for people in the community. People have been dropping by the Estevan Salvation Army from Dec. 21-23 to pick up their hamper, which will help them have the food they need for Christmas. “The Salvation Army was gracious enough to let us use their church area, because we have to do the two-car delivery. And then we don’t have to do the stairs,” said Char Seeman, who co-chairs the Community Hamper Association alongside Heather Woodhouse. The number of hampers that they filled was similar to what they expected. And it’s thanks to the support of people in Estevan and area that they were able to meet the needs of the community.
It turned out the Community Hamper Association had a record number of people looking for hampers this year. And, as such, they needed a record number of toys for its Angel Tree. And the Estevan Kinette Club would need to find a record number of pyjamas for kids through its PJ project, since each kid who gets a toy through the Angel Tree also gets pyjamas. When the association started seeking requests in September and the applications came in quickly (thankfully, people didn’t wait for the last minute) they knew this year was going to be busy. The community was there for them. The Mercury was proud to support the Angel Tree and the PJ Project with its Christmas Wish List campaign. And there were many businesses that stepped forward as well, with donations of cash, toys and pyjamas to help people have a better Christmas.
“There were a lot of kids out in Bienfait that were really excited to see Santa Claus, and that’s probably the biggest highlight of all,” said Lalonde. If there were kids waiting for them in front of a house, then Santa and the firefighters stopped and posed for a socially distanced photo. The kids also received some hot chocolate packets, candy and candy canes. Lalonde believes they likely visited 40 or 50 kids during the day. “One corner we came around and the kids were already outside waiting for us, and we could see them jumping up and down, with excitement, waiting for us to get there,” said Lalonde.