Staff at the Battlefords United Way hope for support from the business community and families in the Battlefords this holiday season, with contests like its gingerbread house display. (Photo Credit: Battlefords United Way)

By Josh Ryan

Gingerbread contest

Battlefords United Way looking for holiday help

Dec 1, 2020 | 5:45 PM

As demand continues to rise for local charities, Battlefords United Way is looking for a boost ahead of Christmas.

After a tough couple of months, the organization that helps provide supports to various charitable groups continues its fundraising campaign.

Event Coordinator Sharon Mohagen said the United Way’s goal of making sure everyone in the Battlefords has food, shelter and a blanket, hasn’t changed.

“It never ends, there’s always people in need and there’s a large number of organizations that help out our community,” she said.

Because they have not been able to host the events they would normally, United Way is pushing its community-wide Gingerbread House Contest as a primary fundraiser. Individuals, families, businesses and other groups can enter to win a variety of prizes, as well as show off their handiwork. The entries will be on display at Frontier Mall, entry will cost individuals $20 and groups $50.

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“Then people can come and view them and bid on them if they like,” Mohagen said.

Demand for their services has been higher than ever during the pandemic, which Mohagen said is due in large part to unemployment. Families lacking necessities are only a few of the issues being faced.

“The isolation of seniors and families, there’s the mental health issue too,” Mohagen said. “Money is tight, so there’s more demand on the supplies that are available.”

As they continue to take in donations, Mohagen said cash is the preferred method, in part from COVID-19 precautions, as well as putting the resources to use. Charities in the community have different supplies and provide different care — making a direct financial investment will best allow them to support each charity.

“Cash donations are much more readily used,” Mohagen said.

And Mohagen expects that need to remain throughout the holidays from each group they support.

Entry forms for the Gingerbread House Contest are available on the Battlefords United Way website.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports