Six free events being organized in Evangeline area to celebrate 2012 Co- op Week
Major drive for Summerside food bank planned
“During this International Year of Co- operatives, Evangeline area cooperators are particularly being encouraged to celebrate the strength of the movement by supporting their co- ops and by participating in the six free events of the 2012 Co- op Week, being held in mid- October,” says Angèle Arsenault, president of the Conseil de développement coopératif de l’Î.P.- É. ( CDC).
The president said the community, renowned as the Co- op Capital of the World ( on a per capita basis), has ample reason to celebrate.
In fact, the region has 18 co- ops that have more than 8,500 members, more than 250 employees and assets worth more than $ 80 million.
These co- ops provide services in a vast array of sectors — from fish processing and handcraft production to grocery sales and funeral services, along with TV show production, cultural development and lodging for seniors. Together, they are, as the International Year slogan says, co- operative enterprises that “build a better world”.
FOOD DRIVE
In addition to attending a variety of fun and informational events, local co- operators will have the opportunity to donate non- perishable foods for the Summerside food bank at Wellington Co- op and the Wellington branch of Evangeline- Central Credit Union throughout the whole week. Food items will also be accepted on Oct. 21 during a family community dinner at Centre Expo- Festival.
All those who contribute food at any of the locations will get a ballot for a draw for a $ 200 gift certificate from Wellington Co- op. Also, during the week, the class from Evangeline School gathering up the greatest amount of food donations will get a $ 100 cash prize.
The
events
planned
for
2012 Co- op Week are:
Monday, Oct. 15 — Buffet breakfast at the Centre Expo- Festival in Abram- Village at 8 a. m. to launch Co- op Week and Small Business Week. Guest speaker will be Gerald Arsenault, business development officer with Innovation P. E. I., who will speak about the technical and financial support programs delivered by his department. Those wishing to attend must register by Oct. 11 by calling Jeannine Arsenault at 8543665. This breakfast is presented jointly, in French, by the CDC, the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PE, CBDC Central PEI and the Wellington Rural Action Centre.
Tuesday, Oct. 16 — Information session and discussion about weather patterns with Gerald Reichheld, meteorologist with the former CFB Summerside, at 1 p. m. in the family room at Le Bel Âge Residential Co- op in Wellington. Snacks will be served. ( The presentation will be in English.)
Wednesday, Oct. 17 — Screening of the new documentary film Building a Better World on the history of the co- op movement on PEI at 7 p. m. in the Conference Room of Evangeline School in Abram- Village. The Evangeline region’s Acadian perspective is well represented in this featurelength production. The film was produced jointly by the P. E. I. Cooperative Council and the CDC. ( The film is in English but will eventually also have French subtitles.)
Thursday, Oct. 18 — Open house at Evangeline- Central Credit Union ( Wellington, Tyne Valley and O’Leary branches) from 9: 30 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m. There will be prizes to win and snacks will be served.
Friday, Oct. 19 — Cake contest at Wellington Co- op. Everyone is invited to bake a cake and to bring it to the store before 4 p. m. Judging will take place at 6 p. m. Three prizes — gift certificates for $ 100, $ 75 and $ 50 — will be presented for the best entries. That day, all members will have a chance to win back the value of their purchases in store gift certificates.
Sunday, Oct. 21 — Community family dinner at Centre Expo- Festival in Abram- Village from 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. Choice of spaghetti or pizza and beverage. Door prizes will be given out. Donations to the food bank accepted. Free public skating and hot chocolate for children at Evangeline Recreation Centre next door from 1- 2 p. m. Organized jointly by the CDC, Wellington Co- op, The Co- operators, Evangeline- Central Credit Union and Farm Credit Canada.
Anyone requiring more information about any of these activities may call Velma Robichaud, the CDC’s development officer, at 902- 854- 3658.