Donated funds leads to shelter donation

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Nov. 10, a local father and son each donated $1,000 to the Strathmore Overnight Shelter to support its operations.

Evan Weal, 13, donated $1,000 he earned from his landscaping business, Weal Deal Landscaping. He started it last summer to generate funds to pay for a dirt bike he had purchased with the help of his father, Trevor.

Regrettably, the bike, a Honda XR80R, was stolen in late September. Fortunately, the community in Strathmore rallied together to help him generate funds to purchase a new one, by supporting his business and providing donations.

Evan now has enough saved to purchase a new bike. But with some extra funds, he decided to give back. “I just wanted to make the best out of a bad situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Evan’s dad Trevor, on behalf of his company Weal Deal Woodworking, decided to match the donation by providing another $1,000 to the shelter. 

“The community should support the community, and I think that’s what we wanted to see in the end,” he said.

The Strathmore Overnight Shelter is deserving of the donation, said Trevor. “Everyone in town should remember that this great place is here to help the people who truly need it – and we never know if we’re going to be the one of the ones who need it down the road.”

The donation will benefit the shelter, especially with the holidays upcoming, said Roger Nelson, board member and former financial director of the shelter. 

“This time of year, this money coming in makes a huge difference,” he said. “This type of donation does not happen very often, but when it does, it is a very special blessing,” 

The money will help provide food for the shelter, said Renee Young, SOS volunteer and board member, who often shops for the shelter’s groceries. Between breakfast, lunch and supper, the groceries required cost about $400 a week, she said. “It’s just a huge, huge help,” she said of the donation.

Young was inspired by Evan deciding to donate on his own accord. 

“Nobody had to tell you to do it, it came from your heart,” she told him. “That is testament to not just who you are, but how you were brought up.”