An `amazing' week and generous gifts
The process of tallying a week's worth of Leader-post Christmas Cheer Fund donations includes making a list and checking it twice.
Not a soul is naughty. Everyone is nice.
That became evident, again, on Thursday afternoon, when Brenda Indzeoski — the Leader-post's local marketing co-ordinator — forwarded the weekly list, provided by our wonderful Christmas Cheer partners at the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation.
“Nice total,” Brenda noted in the email. “This is amazing!”
Buoyed by this news, I started typing ... and typing ... and typing ...
Did I mention typing? Individuals and families gave of themselves, often paying heartfelt tributes to friends and loved ones — while donating anywhere between $25 to $20,000 to assist women and children who are escaping abusive domestic situations.
Once all the generous contributions were inputted, I did a comparison. In just one week, the 2020 Christmas Cheer tally went from $9,137 to $42,676.
The increase in just seven days: $33,539!
All of this is happening at a time when people's budgets are especially tight due to the financial impact of COVID-19, which is being felt at Regina's four women's shelters — the beneficiaries of Christmas Cheer.
“This will go such a long way in supporting the women and children that we serve,” SOFIA House executive director Tmira Marchment says, appreciatively. “This has been a hard year for everyone, and unfortunately we have seen an increase in interpersonal violence during this pandemic. Demand for our services is higher than ever, and these donations will help ensure that we can continue to provide safe shelter and support services to those who need it.”
Those resources are provided to women and children by SOFIA House, Regina Transition House, WISH Safe House and the YWCA Regina's Isabel Johnson Shelter.
“The incredible response to the Christmas Cheer campaign for women's shelters in Regina never ceases to amaze,” Regina Transition House executive director Stephanie Taylor marvels.
“Donations big and small go such a long way to supporting our services and the women and children who come through our doors. Most incredibly, one donor recently chose to contribute $20,000 to this fund.
“We really feel your support for our work and the women in your community!”
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone, such as ...
DONATIONS ( DEC. 3- 10)
■ Anonymous $100
■ Al and Stephanie Huber $100
■ Anonymous $100
■ Mr. Lube Regina $1,000
■ Dan Beveridge $280
■ Sam and Erika Berg $50
■ Al Minhinnick (in memory of Vicki Minhinnick) $100
■ Alice and Jack Huber $100
■ Anonymous $100
■ Freddie Rendek $100 (in memory of Dick Rendek)
■ Melinda and Dick Carter $100
■ Lynette Sackvie $50 (in honour of Anita Toews)
■ Anonymous $400 (in honour of ICT MAPS Programme)
■ Dale and Lynn Brady $100
■ Kevin Mackay $25
■ Anonymous $100
■ Anonymous $100
■ Susan Feltin $50
■ Lori Allard $250
■ Anonymous $25
■ Margaret Wenman $100 (in memory of Dale Wenman) Anonymous $50
■ Anonymous $104
■ Anonymous $75
■ Marguerite Stricker $250 (in memory of Art Stricker) Anonymous $50
■ Anonymous $100
■ Ken Samoluk $100 (in memory of Terry Brown)
■ Kim Higgins $25 (in honour of Emily Morris)
■ Kim Higgins $25 (in honour of Renee Mohr)
■ Kim Higgins $50 (in honour of Kelsey Wagman and Sean Tulloch)
■ Kim Higgins $50 (in honour of Julia Buckingham and Lucas Besth)
■ Kim Higgins $25 (in honour of Candina Beaurivage)
■ Clifton Associates $1,000
■ Timothy Edwin Doyle $50
■ Daniel Hemingway $500
■ Judy Wallin $200
■ David Powell $100 (in memory of Barbara Powell)
Joyce Schuett $100
■ Anonymous $200
■ Anonymous $20
■ Gladys Castle $100
■ Anonymous $75
■ Hazel Whippler $100
■ Edwin Fahl $20
■ Anonymous $100
■ Madeleine Robertson $100 (in honour of Cathy Dermody)
■ Sandra Tompkins $100 (in memory of Gary)
■ Linda Duncan $40
■ Anonymous $100
■ Dianne and Rob Fehr $100
■ Tim and Teresa Lux $100 (in memory of Riley and Rita Whalen, George and Marian Lux)
■ Margaret Skeel $100
■ Michael O'donnell $300
■ Maureen Devine $50 (in memory of Allan Devine)
■ Blaine Scott $100
■ Wayne Mcelree $50 (in memory of Wendy P. Davis)
■ Edward Gebert $100
■ Elaine Yeomans $1,000 (in honour of Canadian Federation of University Women “For Our Prairie” initiative)
■ The Coderres $20,000 (in memory of I., M.J., M. and D. Coderre)
■ Anonymous $50
■ Anonymous $100
■ Anonymous $50
■ Anonymous $100
■ Anonymous $100
■ Loretta Hawkes $200
■ Mike Stremeski $50
■ Marilyn Hill $150
■ Nancy Brandiezs $200
■ Hill and Dawn Radford $100
■ Saskatchewan Joint Board;
■ Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union $365
■ Helen Ball $50
■ Nelson and Elizabeth Milligan
■ $500 (in memory of Catherine Milligan)
■ Anonymous $100
■ Anonymous $75
■ Christie Ast $100 (in memory of Joan Mcclement)
■ Gaylene Diekrager $100
■ Darlene Hase $25 (in memory of Velma Mckay)
■ “I'll Remember You” Elvis Fan Club $800
■ James and Ardelle Thompson $100 (in memory of Royce Massier)
■ Theresa Karkut $50
■ Eleanor Mcclinton $25
■ Gordon and Sonia Wilkie $50 (in memory of Allen Robbins)
■ Anonymous $100
■ Diane Secoy Smith $600
■ Doug and Diane Skow $100
■ Jean Stovin $160 (in memory of my loving husband, Jim)
■ United Church Women $100
2020 CAMPAIGN TOTAL: $42,676 TO DONATE
■ Contribute online at leaderpost. com/category/cheer-fund-2020.
■ Mail a cheque to: South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, Attn: Christmas Cheer Fund, 3934 Gordon Rd., Regina, SK, S4S 6Y3. Please make cheques payable to South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, including “Christmas Cheer Fund” in the cheque memo.