(Photo 130046707 © Mrtwister - Dreamstime.com)

By Dawson Thompson

City Council Fundraiser

City councillors gathering Christmas gift bags for P.A. homeless

Nov 27, 2020 | 4:53 PM

Prince Albert City Councilors are working together on a Christmas charity drive called ‘Stuffing Purses and Bags for the Homeless.’

The charity drive was started by Coun. Charlene Miller four years ago. This year all councillors will take part in collecting items for the drive.

The council members are asking for warm winter gear such as toques, gloves, scarfs, socks, and other warm amenities. They are also asking for different hygiene products, and masks as well.

Donations will be collected, separated, then put into different purses and bags and then donated across the city as a Christmas bag.

Christmas bags will be donated to the detox centre, Our House, Stepping Stone homeless shelter, and at Homeward Bound.

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Coun. Charlene Miller told paNOW she hopes to repeat the same success as last year.

“Last year I got 175 purses stuffed, that was absolutely wonderful,” Miller said. “We had a Christmas Eve luncheon and everyone who came got a bag. They were all gone. It was really good, I am hopeful we will find the people that are in need at the locations we are going to.”

Miller explained the fundraiser is about bringing the community together to help give people a leg up in a time of need.

“It’s about giving people a step up,” Miller said. “I think it’s a really good idea and I am very proud of how the community brings it all together.”

Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick was adamant as well that this fundraiser is about the community working together to make a big difference.

“It’s about the community helping the community, and coming together,” Ogrodnick said. “Poverty and homelessness do not stop at the result of a pandemic. I was very pleased Councillor Miller invited everyone to be involved, and everyone agreed to it.”

Ogrodnick told paNOW he will be contacting churches and schools in the city for donations. He hopes schools will be able to organize their own drives with students, to collect more items.

Tony Head is a new face on city council and looks forward to working with the other councillors on his team.

“It’s important to keep this drive alive,” Head said. “As a newly elected council we are building some comradery, becoming familiar with the procedures of council, becoming familiar with each other, and are really looking out for residents. This is a great way to do that and having everyone involved is really neat.”

To donate you can contact any councillor in the city to arrange a drop off opportunity. Each councillor’s contact information can be found on the city’s website.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8