MERCURY CHRISTMAS
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Issue 34
SERVING THE ENERGY CITY SINCE 1903
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
www.estevanmercury.ca
Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240
Angel Tree program receives record support By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
The need for toys reached an all-time high this year, but the support for the Community Hamper Association’s Angel Tree program surpassed that need. The Angel Tree was set up at Walmart and Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual from Dec. 5-15, and people dropped by with gifts of toys and cash, which could be used to purchase more toys. But there were also a number of toy drives during that 11-day span that also generated excellent support. Char Seeman, who cochairs the hamper association with Heather Woodhouse, said they couldn’t have asked for more when it came to the support of the community. Nearly 800 toys were collected this year, and they were set up Sunday night at St. Giles Anglican Church in what is affectionately known as the toy store. Hamper recipients with a child or children could drop by and pick up at least one toy to present
as a Christmas gift. “We couldn’t put it all in one room this year,” said Seeman. It’s the first time they have had that problem when they have been at St. Giles. Last year the toy store was set up in the larger front foyer of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service building; Seeman doubts they would have been able to fit all of the toys in one room if the toy store was in St. Giles in 2017. The association has received nearly 300 hamper requests this year, as of Sunday night, and more are coming in. Nearly 400 kids are covered by those hamper requests. There was a toy drive through Your Toy Store with More on Dec. 11 and 12, with Murray GM and Power Dodge also serving as dropoff points. And another toy drive was held Dec. 13 and 15 at Canadian Tire, when people filled a fire truck and an RCMP cruiser with toys. “After the toy drive this weekend, most kids are going to get two toys as gifts,” said Seeman.
From left, Estevan Fire Rescue Service firefighter Victor Frank, Estevan Fire Chief Dale Feser, Estevan RCMP Sgt. Jeff Clarke and Const. Adrian Boal were at Canadian Tire Saturday to accept toy donations. you’ll get two $20 gifts, and if you get a $40 gift, you’ll get one $40 gift,” she said. The hamper association also purchases stocking stuffers, which aren’t included in the total number of toys received. Those stocking stuffers
They received close to $800 in cash donations at the Canadian Tire toy drive as well. Those who opt to select a larger gift will get one toy, Seeman said. “If you go for a $20 gift,
Yellow Vest Movement comes to Estevan
By Corey Atkinson The true economic impact of the Home Hardware Canada Cup won’t be known for some time, but the impact of the awareness that Estevan can host larger-scale events is something not to take for granted. The Canada Cup is one of curling’s bigger events on the pre-Christmas calendar and featured the country’s best curlers battling for cash and spots in the pre-Olympic trials. “From the standpoint of a small community like this, I think the biggest impact is the exposure for this community,” said Dwight ‘Fitz’ Bramble, economic development co-ordinator for the City of Estevan. “ This is a national event, and international event actually in terms of television and media coverage, and so a community of 11,000 that’s tucked away in a corner of southeast Saskatchewan, events such as
People gathered in front of city hall on Saturday afternoon for a Yellow Vest Movement rally.
By David Willberg The Yellow Vest Movement made its way to the Energy City on Saturday afternoon, with more than 50
protestors gathering in front of City Hall to say they’re fed up with many of the policies of the federal government. Many of them sported yellow vests of some kind, and some toted signs with
their opinions. It was largely a quiet initiative, with the loudest noise coming from passing motorists who supportively honked their horns. Jay Riedel, who was an A2 » ORGANIZER GET OVER
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Seeman. Seeman believes the support for the toy store has grown in recent years because of added awareness in the community. “I think it has gotten out A2 » INTO
Canada Cup economic impact to be studied sports@estevanmercury.ca
dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
would include toys, books, cosmetics and small toys such as Hot Wheels cars. “We try to make it as normal for them as what you and I would buy for our kids and put in their stocking and give them as gifts,” said
this really showcase and advertise the community.” Sometimes, Bramble said, the dollars and cents impact might be more than the actual dollars and cents can indicate. Bramble also believes that the opportunity for a community like this to come together and demonstrate the spirit that Estevan is known for is also important. “ You had c lose to 200 volunteers of local residents contributing to the success of this event,” he said. “That is huge. Just try to imagine if we had to pay for all of the activities the volunteers contributed… It would have been a huge cost to the community.” Bramble said that the specific economic activity meant an increase in overall spending in regards to accommodations, food and beverage and transportation, as well as advertising dollars and security. “So many areas of spending would have in-
creased significantly over that week,” he said. “I’m really anxious to see what the figures look like.” Bramble said they have an internal process they use to find out the economic impact and they may be sharing that information at a later date, and he said he wouldn’t have any problem speaking about those numbers once the figures are in. Overall, events like the Canada Cup when they’re successful can promote the idea that the city and area can host other events as well. “I think that’s probably the biggest takeaway,” Bramble said. “The city has demonstrated that we have the capacity to host events such as this, and the successful hosting of this event obviously puts us in a better position in the future to host similar events. I look forward and anticipate Estevan will be given opportunities in the future to host similar events, not only in curling and sports in general.”
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