Community shows continued support for crisis society

Posted on: J A McRae

 

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter
 
The Community Crisis Society and the Wheatland Shelter held their 17th annual Harvest dinner and auction on Nov. 5. The event was once again a success, selling out of its 300 tickets. 
“I think it was a wonderful night and it was really good to see the community out supporting the shelter,” said Brad Walls, board chair for the shelter. 
“This year one thing we did a little different than we did in other years is, we had Strathmore High School, Holy Cross Collegiate School and the shelter all build Christmas trees. We auctioned them off at the end of the night. We really want to put a big thank you out to the schools for participating.”
On the shelter Christmas tree there was a wish list of things that users requested, such as toothbrushes and diapers and other essentials.  Walls said it was just for little items the clients need that the shelter has to spend money to provide.
“The money that we raised on Saturday night will go to budgetary offsets, so for example food, utilities, stuff the government funds us for a portion of it but doesn’t fund us 100 per cent. So that money will be used over time… to deal with the 23 per cent occupancy increase over the last year this far,” said Walls.
Guest speakers came to the event including MLA Arno Doerkson, and MP Kevin Sorenson, who also guest auctioneered. Walls said Susan Taylor, the Executive Director Prevention of Family Violence and Bullying & Youth Strategies with Alberta Children and Youth Services attended and spoke about family violence, providing staggering figures and concrete facts.  
“We are currently running at capacity, we are funded for 20 clients and unfortunately right now we’re running at capacity or a little above, so that money will help those people,” said Walls. 
Last year the shelter saw 197 adults come through it’s doors, and 137 children. Its the support of the community, and the government, that keeps the shelter running and able to provide a safe haven for those fleeing from domestic violence.