Promise and enthusiasm! On Feb. 4, 2020, that was the tone of the Carstairs Community Chest February annual meeting of the board and visitors.
By early March, all were gung-ho to begin the annual April charity drive.
The goal was set at $70,000 for local charities. Most door-to-door canvassers were in place.
This charity drive had operated solely with canvassers without fail since 1952.
Needless to say, mandatory changes came about with COVID-19, resulting in no door-to-door canvassing for an indefinite period time.
The dilemma is for charities. They still need funds; some more than ever such as the food bank.
However, all are aware of the plight of local businesses or neighbours facing job losses or farmers trying to reap last year’s harvest. Times are challenging.
With April nearly gone, Carstairs and district residents are asked to donate as they can. Some ways are by mail to Box 2097 or an easier method is by e-transfer to [email protected] where email address must be supplied for a receipt.
For assistance, call any board member whose number is listed the phone book or on Canada 411. These are president Katie Harder, vice-president Don James, treasurer Paige Gil and secretary Vicky Penner.
Some residents may ask what is community chest?
It is a charity that has been helping local people in need and crisis since 1952. During this cold January, the victim of a house fire lost everything and was aided by an immediate cash donation of $5,000, as mandated in bylaws.
Residents may also ask, which charities are supported? The answer is mostly local ones that are volunteer driven.
The 2020 list is:
• Hugh Sutherland School breakfast program
• Carstairs Elementary School toast program as needed
• Mountain View Food Bank,
• Mount View Special Riding Association
• Horizon School
• Chinook Arch Victims’ Services Society
• Rosebud Health Foundation
• Habitat for Humanity (Mountain View Society)
• Mountain View Emergency Shelter
• Pregnancy Care Centre.
Two larger charities to be funded are STARS Air Ambulance and Salvation Army.
Vicky Penner is the secretary of Carstairs and District Community Chest.
