Some kids gather for a picture at Turning Point Youth Centre in Meadow Lake. (Submitted photo/Turning Point Youth Centre)

By Angela Brown

Turning Point Youth Centre

ML youth centre’s Christmas fundraiser sees positive response

Dec 14, 2022 | 9:26 PM

Turning Point Youth Centre in Meadow Lake wrapped up its 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser this week.

The event that ran from Dec. 1 to 13 was a huge success, and ended up raising ongoing contributions of a total $440 per month, from several new monthly donors who signed up. In a year, that will add up to $5,280 for the organization.

“Our goal with the 12 Days of Christmas was to sign up people to donate monthly. So, they can just sign up for any amount they want, $10 through to $200,” executive director Belinda Martin said. “That money just gets withdrawn from their account each month until they cancel. And, they can cancel at anytime.”

Martin thanked all those who stepped up to show their support during the fundraiser.

“Our community has always been really supportive of the youth centre,” she said. “I really appreciate that. I’m very happy with the results.”

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

She said with people committing to monthly donations, that’s a sustainable way to help keep the organization going strong.

“It helps to keep our doors open in the long-term, so that we can just be around for as long as possible,” Martin said.

Located on Third St. E., the youth centre has been running for the past three years, serving kids from ages 13 to 18. It provides drop-in services and programming for youth to take part in. There is also a kitchen in the back of the facility where participants can make a meal together once or twice a week, and learn life-skill tips. On average between 15 to 40 youth currently use the service on any given day.

Martin said the last time the organization held the 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser was two years ago. The non profit had so much success at that time, that the team decided to run it again this year.

People who signed up to be a monthly donor during one of the 12 days of the event had a chance to win one of the gifts available as an incentive.

Some of the youth, who access the centre, also got involved, and made online videos about how the youth centre helped them in their lives, as a fun way to encourage more people to donate to the fundraiser.

Martin said all donations will help with operations costs to keep the centre running.

“It’s keeping our doors open, paying bills, paying wages, and [for] programming,” she said.

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @meadowlakenow