Help the homeless BBQ on tap

GEOFF LEE STAFF WRITER

Newcomer Ron Eldridge is taking a proactive approach to helping outfit homeless and less fortunate people in Lloydminster for colder days ahead.

The 62-year-old is organizing a community-wide donation day outside City Hall in October under the umbrella of his Devoted To You Street Ministries.

“If it keeps getting cold the way it is, I may have to do it a week or so sooner, but for now, it’s scheduled for the 28th,” said Eldridge.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. near the gazebo.

“We’re going to have a barbecue lunch as well and just get everyone prepared for the winter as best we can,” he said. His list of needed

HEALTH NEEDS FROM PAGE 4

Lloydminster Region Health Foundation CEO, Stephanie Munro, acted as master of ceremonies with an endless stack of audience questions.

One of the zingers that earned applause was, “Do you think zero is the right size of mental health beds fora service area the size of Lloydminster?”

“We need to consider mental health services as a sort of a continuum of care. Beds are one part of that,” replied McLetchie.

“Having access to care needs when you are in crisis is really important.There is preventative mental health needs and the commu - items for vulnerable men, women and children includes shirts, socks, pants, toques, coats, gloves, boots, hygiene products such as toothpaste and soap along with backpacks and food.

Tables will be set up on site to collect clothing that Eldridge will give directly to people who need it.

“It’s going to be a great event,” he said.

“I’ve already had some interest in it and I need to get a lot more, so that’s why I want to get another story out there, so people know what we’re doing.”

Eldridge was also interviewed on local TV and other local news outlets about his plans for the homeless.

He quickly restarted his Devoted To You Street Ministries in Lloydminster after relocating from Winni - nity based services that the majority of people with mental health need.”

He says the review that’s being done in Lloydminster will take into account the bed question and could determine if there is need for mental care in-patient capacity in Lloydminster.

The panelists agreed to email all of the answers to questions they couldn’t get to in the next two months.

The panelists included Andrew Will CEO of SHA and Debora Okrainetz director of continuing care North East Central Zone AHS.

Another speaker not peg where similar charity events he organized at city hall had great turnouts.

Ron Eldridge, who has started the Devoted to You Street Ministries to help those homeless in Lloydminster, is organizing a community donation day outside City Hall on Oct. 28.

“Donations were awesome. We had so many donations coming in every single day. It was great,” said Eldridge.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 on the panel was Leonard Wegner, director of continuing care Lloydminster and area SHA.

Lloydminster MLA Colleen brought greetings on behalf of Saskatchewan premier Moe.

Martin Long, a newly appointed Alberta Parliamentary secretary for rural health toured some facilities with Vermilion-LloydminsterWainwright MLA Garth Rowswell and added his opening remarks.

“I do look forward to hearing some of the issues that are quite unique to Lloydminster, but also are similar issues that we face broadly around Alberta,” said Long.