InSeine January

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Vol. 11 Issue 8

ears!!! y 1 1 g n i t a r Celeb

January 2021

Christmas Spirit Shared with Residents of the Villa A local man shared an idea with the community, starting with the first of what will hopefully be an annual event, focusing on bringing Christmas spirit to local seniors while strengthening connections with the community.

David Everett planned on organizing a community walk-by of the Villa to wave to the residents and show them some Christmas spirit. But when Covid19 restrictions didn’t lift and it was not possible to make this work he quickly shifted gears into organizing gift baskets created by community members to donate to the residents and staff at the Villa Youville.

“The idea or feeling to do something came the day my boys and dogs were playing on the frozen Seine River and we looked up at some of the Villa Youville suites and some of the residents were just watching us, smiling and waving,” said Everett.

He felt it was a strong reminder of the power of community and how just being around someone can bring joy.

“I know with Covid-19 and the restrictions it seems to have just fortified the wall that our society has between us and some of your elders,” explained Everett. “So I thought well let’s do something.”

And that’s when he initially came up with the “Walk of Waves.” The concept was to schedule an evening for the

community to come by in “timed intervals” to visit the personal care home by walking by all the suites they could from the outside.

He believed that waving and smiling, dressed up in Christmas attire and lights would just magnify the ‘power of presence.’

“I knew the restrictions could play a factor in whether or not we could even go ahead with this event. If it couldn’t happen then I made a promise to still do something,” said Everett. “Restriction remained, and well, that’s where I came up with the gift basket idea.”

In the short time he switched gears on the idea and soon he had the community coming together to create around 50 baskets. And although people would not meet or see any residents, they were more than happy to donate he said.

The baskets included store bought snacks and treats, small games, puzzles, art, decorations, yarn, lotions, plus anything warm such as scarves, mitts, hats, socks, slippers, and blankets and even more as the community got creative!

Donor participants even added a card with their family names and a photo.

Each basket was assigned a number and that number appeared on all the items inside the basket. The num-

ber was added to the card and family photo. The card was hung up so residents and staff could see who gave the numbered item they received.

Following all Covid-19 rules, Everett, along with his boys, arranged to meet participants in front of the Villa to accept donations which were then handed off to Villa “gift organizers” waiting inside the Villa. They then distributed the gifted items to residents.

“Next year I hope to do both the Walk

of Waves and gift baskets,” Everett mentioned. “I don’t feel the idea is really new or even charitable… the idea of doing something for our parents and grandparents is not and shouldn’t be a charitable notion... it’s what makes us a community. The power of presence is the greatest present.”

Everett is inviting everyone to join the Walk of Waves Facebook page to stay informed on updates for next year’s event.

Grassroots Hamper Campaign Receives Overwhelming Response Rhonda Funk, the founder of a local facebook group, the Rural Free Bin group, noticed a need for more community support and embarked on a mission to fill a need of 12 Christmas hampers for local families. Not only did she fill the 12 hampers, it was possible to create 2 smaller ones with the late deliveries of even further donations.

“Before our story was featured in the InSeine newsletter in their December’s issue, I had very minimal donations,” explained Rhonda. “I will be honest, it wasn’t looking promising and I started to feel like perhaps I had bitten off more than I could chew.”

Fast forward… within 24 hrs of the newsletter distribution she started getting messages, phone calls and drop offs of food, toys, books and monetary donations.

“I was completely blown away,” said Rhonda. “The community had heard my story and my mission, and had come together to support their fellow neighbours.”

As the project took off she admits there were many moments along the way that she felt emotional, in awe and shock, like a “pinch me” moment.

Even though creating the hampers took over a good portion of her house, turning it into a makeshift workshop, her family was good spirited about it and supported her through the whole project.

“I even incorporated the experience into our homeschooling lessons for sorting and math and reading,” explained Rhonda. “I do need to give my kids a big pat on the back as they did a lot of sorting, organizing and lifting for me.”

Rhonda had a friend help her with the shopping. They filled four shopping carts, spending just over $800 of donated money.

“My van was FULL!!”

Another friend volunteered and

helped her wrap the presents.

Rhonda and her husband Jon personally delivered all the hampers.

“It was bittersweet. It brought on so many memories from our own journey as a couple and fond memories of my childhood when we received Christmas hampers,” said Rhonda. “The families we delivered to were so diverse and meeting each one of them felt great.”

Each hamper was personalized to each family.

“I followed the Christmas Cheer boards guideline for basic level hampers and once we reached that minimum I added on additional items I thought would bring more joy like milk, eggs, honey, coffee, nuts or the basics of diapers or feminine products if necessary,” said Rhonda. “As the donations came in, it became apparent that each hamper would easily feed a family through the holidays. With that covered I had a strong urge that everyone must have a present to open.”

Each adult received a gift bag full of various items with the intent to bring up the spirits and encourage self care.

“I encouraged the reuse and recycle and started a used toy drive,” explained Rhonda. “Donations from this gave each child roughly 2-3 gifts. For families with children 4 years old or older, a board game was given as a family gift.

The book donations I received I paired with the donations from My Little Free Library and made a bundle of books addressed to all the children in the family to share. It was perfect.”

“I may have done all the behind the scenes work of organizing and personalizing but this was no one man show,” she admitted. “I could not have reached this goal without the numerous individuals who donated and helped in various ways.”

SO THE BIG SHOUT OUT FOR YOUR SUPPORT - THANK YOU!!!

Dan Guetre with the Dawson Trail

Dispatch, Burnell’s Food Plus, Patricia McPherson with The InSeine Newsletter, Carley Adams, Crystal Dupont, Georgette and Dan Piloud, Breanne and Cole, Shelley Belisle, Lisa Blasko, Stacey LeeAnn, Kirsten Lillie, Shelly Vincent, Christel Lanthier, Krystyn Eirika, Brigitte Morningstar, Gail Giesbrecht, Carolyn Tschernov, Jason and Denise Taylor, Tracey Tallaire, Cynthia St. Laurent, Camille Wilson, Brandi Leefe, Jenn All and her family, Angel Webster, Kristina Sifert, Don family,

Elizabeth Braun, Melissa Beard, Marie Lanouette, Crystal Nelson, Miranda Keele, Lisa Olafson and Alicia Maloney family, Davis Rositiz, Naomi Evans, Valerie Kropodra, Ali Beth Foster McDougall, Courtney and Nick Benjamin, Kalyn Gregory, Megan Aldridge-Johnson, Lisa Marriot, Marlene Gauthier, Kari Sabot, Cheryl Casson, Stephanie Semotok, Marcia Joanne, my family (Jon, Tim, Cody, Kianna and Sophie) and 15 others who wished to remain anonymous.

The Ste Anne Library is offering curb side pick up. Appointments are available from 10 am - 6:45 pm. For your appointment please call or email the library at (204) 422-9958 or library@ steanne.ca

Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice Ingredients Lime Salmon 4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets 3 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for grill 2 tsp lime zest 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice 3 cloves garlic, crushed Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Coconut Rice 1 1/2 cups Zico Coconut Water 1 1/4 cups canned coconut milk 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice, rinsed well and drained well 1/2 tsp salt Avocado-Mango Salsa 1 large mango, peeled and diced 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper (1/2 large) 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/3 cup chopped red onion, rinsed under water and drained 1 large avocado, peeled and diced 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 Tbsp Zico Coconut Water Salt and pepper, to taste Instructions For the salmon: In an 11x7-inch baking dish whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, garlic and season with salt and pepper to taste (a fair amount of each).

Place salmon in baking dish, cover and allow to marinate in refrigerator 15 - 30 minutes, then flip salmon to opposite side and allow to marinate 15 - 30 minutes longer.

Preheat a grill over medium-high heat during last 10 minutes of marinating.

Brush grill grates with oil. Place salmon on grill and grill about 3 minutes per side or until just cooked through (turn carefully as the salmon will be fragile).

For the coconut rice: While salmon is marinating prepare coconut rice. In a medium saucepan bring coconut water, coconut milk, rice and salt to a full boil.

Cover and simmer until liquid has been absorbed (there may be just a little bit of excess liquid in center which you can drain off), about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then let rest 5 minutes.

For the mango avocado salsa: While the salmon is grilling prepare salsa. In a medium bowl toss together mango, bell pepper, cilantro, red onion, avocado, lime juice, olive oil and coconut water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve salmon warm with coconut rice top with avocado mango salsa.

Notes For creamier coconut rice, use full-fat coconut milk.