Vol. 104 No. 02
Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-948-3344
20 pages
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Friends of the Lodge reorganizes into new foundation They are the same group with the same goals. The Friends of the Lodge Committee has been formally restructured as of January 1 as the Biggar and District Health Services Foundation Inc. (BDHSF). The new foundation will ensure ongoing commitment to health services in Biggar and area, and will continue to help fund other essential health services in the future after the construction of the new long-term care facility. BDHSF has been granted charitable registration under the Income Tax Act, and will be able to issue income tax deductible charitable receipts. Anyone wishing to donate to the new long-term care facility project or other health services can make their donation at the Biggar Credit Union or mail a donation to Box 670, Biggar, Sask., S0K 0M0. Cheques should be made out to BDHSF. An official income tax deductible receipt will be mailed shortly thereafter. BDHSF thanks the Biggar and District Community Foundation for assisting the Friends of the Lodge Committee in its fund raising activities by issuing income tax deductible charitable receipts. It was greatly appreciated. BDHSF’s fund raising mandate is to assist in the purchasing of medical equipment and furnishings for Biggar health facilities and services, assist with health care staff education, assist with physician retention and recruitment programs, and to assist
Puck hunters . . . Biggar Atom Nationals hosted rival Unity Lazers, Sunday, in a hard-fought battle. Atoms played hard, giving as good as in enhancing health services and programs in Biggar and surrounding area. The foundation will only be able to make a grant to a qualified group, i.e.: another charitable organization such as the Heartland Health Region. The foundation will only be able to provide grants based on the amount of donations received. The new 23.5M, 54-bed long-term care facility is under construction next to the Biggar Hospital with completion date in late 2014. Construction has begun with piles and foundation, and will continue throughout the winter. The foundation’s main fund raising activity at this time will be to reach its goal of $550,000, to be used to fully equip and furnish the new long-term care facility. To date the foundation has received $440,000. The Friends of the Lodge/BDHSF are encouraging area residents and business enterprises who may not have made a donation to consider making one. Mark your calendar as the foundation is planning the second annual Valentine Dine, Dance and Auction
on February 9. The evening will include a silent auction and live auction, brown bag ticket table and door prizes. A tax deductible receipt will be issued for any item donated to the event. The diversity,
they got but fell 7-3. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
quality and quantity of the items received last year was exciting and beyond expectations. It is the foundation’s hope that they can once again put on a gala evening of dining, dancing and fun. Tickets
are available at de Moissac Jewellers. The following foundation board executive members may be contacted for information and/or to make a donation: Jo Angelopoulos (948-3429),
Patti Turk (932-4911), or Gene Motruk (948-2584). The Friends of the Lodge/ BDHSF members wish to extend their thanks for everyone’s past and future support.
Trust set for Biggar residents of holiday fire tragedy With the holiday season set before us all, December 21 was a day best forgotten by one Biggar family as they lost their home to fire. A trust fund to help the family during this trying time has been set up at the Biggar Credit Union. In talking to Jim Ellis and Joan Larlham, the generosity, support and well-wishes have been overwhelming - the one positive experience that could be taken from the whole tragedy. They obviously wish things could have been different - while most were getting ready for a time of cheer, of Christmas blessings and happy times, the family was in turmoil, literally picking up the pieces, mourning the loss of beloved pets. Getting life back to normal has been no easy task, and will continue to be a struggle for the foreseeable
still facing a time of uncer- that will continue to offer future. Both learned firsthand tainty and turmoil. While their support. Again, if you want to how generous Biggar can things are looking up, be; many rushing to their help is always needed and help, that trust is at the aid, providing comfort and appreciated. Again, they Biggar and District Credit help - for that Jim and thank all who have helped Union. Joan are eternally grate- and, no doubt, thank those ful, and have expressed their thanks to all for the small-town spirit of coming to their aid. Unfortun a t e l y, r e ports in Saskatoon media put a cloud over them by reporting that the “fire does appear to be suspicious”, when, in fact, it is not considered suspi- Picking those lucky winners . . . Charlie Martin reaches into the cious. entry box, picking the lucky winners of The Independent’s Christmas Regardless Merchant promotion, December 21, as Advertising Consultant Urla of the error, Tyler looks on. Check out Page 19 to see who were the lucky winners. the family is (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)