In recognition of reaching the 10th anniversary milestone, organizers of the Cooking for Kindness luncheon decided to wrap up another successful season by building bridges between generations.
Lourelle Vooys, Cooking for Kindness coordinator, said a recent fundraiser was the first of a two-part celebration that concluded a few days afterwards during the last luncheon of the season.
Held Saturday, May 11 at the Sundre Royal Canadian Legion branch, the second annual Back to the Future fundraiser represented the history and celebrated local seniors who have contributed to the community over the years, said Vooys.
“I call them Sundre’s antiques,” she said affectionately, referring to those local pioneers who in the past worked together to find solutions to address the problems the community faced, resulting in programs such as Nutrition for Learning.
Leo Dumont performed live music for the event, which also featured a pie auction to raise funds for the future Sundre hospital as well as support for a mental illness and addiction facility, she said.
Leo Dumont, centre, brought an ensemble to provide some live musical entertainment during the second annual Back to the Future pie auction fundraiser for the new Sundre hospital and mental health and addiction facility.
“We might never see the new hospital,” she said, quickly adding that has not deterred the efforts of the “antiques” who remain committed to standing in solidarity with the community to help people who are struggling to cope with mental illness and addiction.
Addictions often stem from one form of mental illness or another, which in turn are typically genetic — something that never used to be openly talked about — and more must be done to address the issue, she said.
Although now clean and dry for many years, Vooys, a recovering alcoholic who once was also addicted to prescription pills, said she is bipolar schizophrenic. While nobody can force an addict with a mental illness to walk down the path to recovery, opening doors to start conversations and offer support is a crucial first step, she said.
“Everybody has to find themselves.”
Between the pie auction and ticket sales, she estimated more than $2,000 was raised after expenses at the event.
“It was very successful,” she said.
The second part was planned in conjunction with the last Cooking for Kindness before the summer break. Held Wednesday, May 15, River Valley School Grade 2 students — who represent tomorrow’s potential — were invited to share some flowers, smiles, hugs and conversations with seniors, she said.
“They’re Sundre’s future,” she said, adding life simply would not be the same without them.
River Valley School Grade 2 students Jordyn Brooks, left, and Zara Bartholow enthusiastically offered some flowers during the event.
Cooking for Kindness initially started courtesy of a $10,000 donation as an initiative to offer isolated seniors an opportunity to socialize over a meal. It has evolved into an opportunity for any member of the community who is socially isolated, or mentally or physically handicapped, she said.
While there was once an assumption that the luncheons would eventually end after that initial donation ran dry, Vooys said when Doris McNaughton, who was among the program’s founders, passed away last year, she had specifically requested donations to support Cooking for Kindness in lieu of flowers. Additionally, voluntary donation cans at the luncheons also help to raise the funds needed to cover expenses. But nobody who attends is expected to make a contribution unless he or she is so inclined, she said.
Local businesses and the municipality have also pitched in, she added.
“The teamwork in Sundre is just fantastic.”
For the time being, she said there is adequate funding and support in place to ensure Cooking for Kindness goes on for at least one more year.
“We’ve got enough to start the 11th year.”
Running monthly from October to May with the only exception being December when Cooking for Kindness volunteers instead help out with the community Christmas supper, there are seven lunches a year, she said.
Involved in the community initiative for nine years now, Vooys said she most enjoys being able to give back.
Anyone who wants to volunteer with Cooking for Kindness is welcome to contact Vooys by phone at 403- 638-3378. Anybody who would like to contribute can offer a donation by writing a cheque to Greenwood Neighbourhood Place and adding Cooking for Kindness in the memo line.
