OLDS — A local oil and gas company has donated $17,000 to the Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society (MVESS).
Whitecap Resources Inc. provided a cheque for $15,000 to MVESS late last month. Combined with an earlier $2,000 cheque presented in November, the company, its employees and suppliers have donated a total of $17,000 to MVESS over the past six months.
In the case of the $2,000 donation, employees and contractors raised $1,000 on their own. Whitecap Resources matched that figure.
MVESS provides outreach services for individuals and families who may be in an abusive relationship, are seeking information regarding domestic violence issues and/or are looking for a healthier lifestyle.
It is also fundraising for a shelter for adults and children to escape domestic violence.
MVESS secretary Carol Johnston says the organization is very grateful for Whitecap Resources’ generosity.
“We are extremely grateful for any money, but particularly when it’s $15,000. Whitecap has been a good sponsor and hopefully will continue to be,” she said.
“For them to step forward and do this without any effort on our part to contact them – this is all them. This is all Whitecap Resources,” vice-chair Bob Phillips said. “They’re a good – really good – neighbour.”
Treasurer Bill Johnston said over the past few years, the society has managed to raise a $150,000 to $170,000 for the shelter. The board is hopeful construction on it can begin some time this year.
Johnston said during the past few years they've had to hire another employee to help out executive director Emilie Webb, due to an increasing workload.
“It’s a program that is of great value to the community. And the community is the county. We deal with everything in the county,” he said.
Whitecap Resources area superintendent Guy Hetu said the company donates to MVESS because it believes in building the community.
“We’re committed to community involvement and we want to make a difference, year after year,” he said.
