Donations to Stelmach Foundation

Ed Stelmach Community Foundation scores big donations to end the year

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Alberta’s former Premier, Ed Stelmach, had a busy day Dec. 19, first visiting the Lamont New Horizons Seniors Drop-In Centre, where he received a check for $1,000 to his charity The Ed Stelmach Community Foundation, followed by a visit to the Sharun family farm where he received another check, on behalf of the Mundare Easter Basket, for over $7,000.

Stelmach said the senior’s donation was a pleasant surprise.

“It’s a very pleasant surprise, and it's a sizable donation. A thousand dollars for a small club, that's reaching deep, and it will go to a good cause,” he said.

Stelmach added that the donation will help support families who have relocated to Lamont County from their war-ravaged country of Ukraine.

“The issue we're facing, (is) they're not regarded by the federal government as refugees. They're regarded as displaced people or evacuees,” he said.

“If they were regarded and recognized by the federal government, as refugees, then they would have accommodation support (and) health support.”

Stelmach estimated that currently, Lamont County has at least 20 evacuees from Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Rudy Warawa, Chair of the Mundare Easter Basket, was emotional as he spoke of the beginnings of the local organization which was created earlier this year to support those coming to Mundare from Ukraine.

“It’s heritage. Most of our families are from Ukraine. And the stories that we heard from our grandparents (and) our great grandparents, if we were lucky enough to be alive when they were alive, the stories that they told of the hardships they went through to settle in this area, (now) it’s payback,” he said.

Warawa said the eight-member committee have, since its inception in March, collected nearly $90,000 to support evacuees in Mundare.

Members of the Lamont New Horizons Senior's Club present a check for $1000 to Ed Stelmach for the Ed Stelmach Community Foundation on Dec. 19. L-R: Club President Marvin Eleniak (R) Ed Stelmach (C) and Club Treasurer Lil

Pewarchuk (R) Photo: Jana Semeniuk

The Sharun family farm near Mundare raised $7100 through donations made by visitors to their annual Christmas Light Up held on Dec. 3. The donations went to the Ed Stelmach Community Foundation on behalf of the Mundare Easter Basket, which supports Ukrainian evacuees relocating in Mundare. Brian Sharun (L) and Shawna Sharun (C) present a cheque for $7,100 to former Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach (R) for the Ed Stelmach Community Foundation. The money was raised from the Sharun's annual family light-up event and will go towards supporting Ukrainian evacuees living in Mundare. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Members of the Mundare Easter Basket pose with the Sharun family and a check for $7100 donated from the Sharun Annual Light Up event to the Ed Stelmach Community Foundation on behalf of the Mundare Easter Basket. Front row L-R: Charlotte McKellar, Shawna Sharun, and Jo Ann Dubyk. Back Row L-R: Brian Sharun, Rudy Warawa and Allen Dubyk. Missing Easter Basket members: Faye Ewanchyshyn, Charlie Gargus and Cliff Moroziuk. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Obituary

SHEPTYCKI, Betty

It is with a heavy heart we share with you that on December 21, 2022 Betty Sheptycki of Lamont passed away aged 69.

Betty is survived by Ken, her husband of 51 years; daughter, Melanie (Paul); son, TJ (Jodi); grandchildren, Ariana, Evan, and Alexa; sisters, Diane (John) Mills and Sheila Boyle; sister-in-law, Diane Howes; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Jim and Olive Howes; and brother, Don.

Betty courageously confronted and battled Multiple System Atrophy and did everything in her power to keep the symptoms at bay. Know that she went peacefully, sound of mind, with a smile on her face surrounded by loved ones and with memories and thoughts of all that had touched her heart. At Betty’s request, there will not be a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lamont Food Bank (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/ dn/51825?v1=true) will be greatly appreciated.

For a more complete story and to leave a message for the family, please visit: www.parkmemorial.com/obituaries Park Memorial Lamont 780-895-2157 Family Owned Funeral Home Crematorium, Reception Centre