Sending warmth, comfort to Slave Lake

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

After the devastation that took place at Slave Lake, people from all over have been trying to find a way to help and show their support. In Strathmore, many residents and different groups have been doing what they can, and recently members of the Strathmore United Church sent tokens of their support to those in need. 

“We had our luncheon, we had given all our quilts away and it was just (at) the time that the fire was on and people were having to be evacuated,” said Ruth Radway, a member of the church and the ladies quilting group. 

“I just said around the lunch table wouldn’t it be nice if we had some quilts to send to Slave Lake, and (they said) well why can’t we do some more. It just snowballed from there.”

On June 17 two volunteers, Russ Maudsley and Moose (David) Thompson from Calgary, gathered up the 51 quilts and three afghans to be donated to the residents of Slave Lake. The quilts and afghans were made by quilters from the Strathmore United Church, the Gladys United Church, and one was donated by the wife of temporary minister Henry Friesen, out of High River. 

Enterprise Car Rental donated a vehicle to use for the trip to Slave Lake and on June 18 the quilts and afghans were dropped off at St Peter’s Ecumenical Church. 

“They’ll be distributed as they (the church) see fit,” said Radway.

Radway said the church owes a big thank you to Enterprise, who loaned the vehicle to transport the quilts, and to Cotton and Candy who donated fabric for the quilts. She also said the two drivers who volunteered their time to make the trip deserve a thank you as well.