By paNOW

P.A. Facebook donation page takes off

Dec 10, 2017 | 9:33 AM

A Prince Albert man is helping to run what he calls a safe, non-judgemental charitable space for people in need to get ahold of various goods and gifts.

Steven Ring runs a Facebook page called Over The Rainbow Prince Albert which was founded by his friend Ashley Ranseth.

“We tend to focus and get lost on the labels, whether you’re homosexual, First Nations or you’re white or you’re this or that,” Ring said. “We don’t focus on what’s truly important and that’s first and foremost that we’re human.”

The page connects people with items donated by individuals, local organisations or companies. The recipient can also donate something.

Ring said the page started off with some basic items and recently moved to offering a hamper draw. Since, he said, those joining the closed group has swelled by the hundreds.

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“Things have really taken off,” he said. “I have an organization coming to my house to donate 36 toys: 18 for girls and 18 for boys, a local realtor gave us six $25 Co-Op gift cards and another woman is donating $5 Tim cards.”

For Ring, the Facebook offering allows him a chance to give back and share with others his own experiences of living without. Ring has an auto-immune disease that is damaging his spinal discs meaning he can no longer work.

“I was in a dark place and not seeing any hope anymore and the anxiety took over. I talked it over with my husband about what I could possibly do to warm my heart.”

Ring, who grew up on the West Flat calls himself a very community-based person, has seen hard times himself about six years ago.

“I know what it’s like to lose everything. Our water was cut off. We didn’t have food. I swore the day I had to give my car back to the bank that I’d get everything back, and I did.”

Ring is organizing a draw for six hampers through the Facebook page and six other draws for the gift cards and toys.

They do not accept any cash on the page.

“It’s a safe place for families to come and ask for help if they need help. All I’m trying to show is the generosity of the community.”

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow