Sanctuary Stuff

Christmas break

2011-12-20T19:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day for Sanctuary until school starts again in January. It has been a busy month as it is for everyone. We have been blessed with sponsors for seven Christmas hampers for our families which include both food for the family and gifts for the children in the family. On Sunday we had our Christmas dinner prepared by volunteers from the community, including members from the RCMP who did most of the vegetable prep. We served over seventy people turkey and ham, potatoes and vegetables. The vegetables were donated by Endless Harvest a local organic vegetable provider. There was a gift for every child and a "family" present and everyone left with leftovers and a cookie tray.

It is a hard time of year for many families. While some people are deciding between the latest techno toys others are deciding between food or utilities. Everyone wants Christmas to be a special time for their family but for some it is harder than others who would love to provide gifts for their children but buying food is a priority. I like to think that our hampers and Christmas dinner provide not only financial assistance at this time of the year but prove to people that they are not forgotten and that people really do care.

Unfortunately we have learned that our grant from the BC Gaming commission has been cut from $ 20,000.00 to $ 3,125.00 for the next year. That is a huge set back but we will find a way to keep everything operating as usual. We are appealing the decision but will not hear for a few months if we are successful.

critical age

2011-10-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

We had a great speaker at our church this weekend to talk to our Sunday School and youth workers. He provided some interesting information about the development of children. By five years of age children have their morals established, what is right and wrong. There is a window from 8 to 12 when influences can effect change in those morals but after that it becomes more and more difficult to change the way that children think. It just reinforced to me how important Sanctuary is as we continue to provide a non-judgemental, supportive environment for children in this age group. We don't allow put downs, bullying and manipulation. We encourage the children to control and examine their emotions, examine what they consider right and wrong and encourage positive solutions within firm boundaries. Our speaker said it is easier to change a child than try to change an adult. How true.

Who is responsible?

2011-09-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

There is always much debate about who is responsible for a community and its citizens. Many people believe that the government, ie. the Provincial government, should pay to take care of every need for every citizen but this is, in my opinion, unrealistic. The needs of every community are different and determining what needs are to be met takes a great deal of time and money before any help actually reaches those who need it.

Sanctuary has always been apolitical. It was founded on the belief that community should take care of community. We are all responsible for those members of our community who are vulnerable. It is up to us to support the organizations which we feel bring a long lasting benefit to the community. There are so many organizations in our community doing great work with children, youth and the disadvantaged, they need the support of the citizens of Trail. Find out who is helping in your community, look at their financial statements, see where the money is going and see if it is an organization you can support either with time or money.

Numbers up

2011-09-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our numbers are returning to the normal levels, 23 in attendance with 18 for dinner last Friday. Friday is always a busy day because most of the children go to Kid Zone or Sparks at a nearby church at 6:40PM.

Increased numbers means an increase in food costs which seem to be rising weekly anyway. Thanks to the hospital we get most of our dinners donated but there is milk to buy, at least a gallon a day, and fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy after school snacks need to be purchased.

Lake time

2011-09-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday Ken & Lu-Anne took the kids to Champion Lakes for the afternoon. Swimming & a BBQ were the order of the day. Thanks to Steve from Gateway Christian Life Centre for driving everyone in the church bus and spending time with the kids. We really need more volunteers like Steve.

We have wonderful volunteers at Sanctuary in addition to our Board. Steve and John from Gateway drop in to spend time with the kids. Dwayne & Don & Paul do Gym Night & run the kids ragged. Glen helps with the recycling and keeps our computers working which is no small job with all our kids using them. Then we have the church ladies that bring snacks which are always welcome, especially the fruit and cookies.

It is back to school on Tuesday and back to regular hours for Sanctuary., 2:30-7:30 and dinner is at 5.

2011-09-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

We are very fortunate to have caring people in our community. Thanks to Louise McEwan and her "Skool aid" program, many of our children will head back to school with all of the books and supplies they need. It is such a great thing when people come along side and help our program. The cost of school supplies is so great and if you have 2 or 3 children it can run into hundreds of dollars and most of our families just cannot afford such a big chunk taken out of their budget. Next week things are back to normal as school begins on Tuesday.

Gym night

2011-08-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

It must be close to school starting because our great volunteer in charge of Gym Night has requested the gym at the Trail Memorial Centre. We have gym night once a week and it is a real favorite with the kids. I also notice that someone has donated a new air hockey table. We have two schools in the US who are using our links and information page for student research.

Summer

2011-08-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Wow, time flies and I must get more on board with the blogging. It has been a slow summer at Sanctuary which is OK because Ken & LuAnne get to take things a little easier. It is very different having ten kids than 25. Our Monday pottery class will be starting soon as well as the trips to Harding Heights ranch to feed & pet the animals. If we can get a few more volunteers we can do street hockey. Right now in the heat it appears to be video games, movies and pool as the winning activities.

Wrap up day

2011-05-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

Well we did some heavy duty work tonight. Took all of the ceiling tiles out of the front of Sanctuary & replaced them with new. There was only seven of us but it went really fast. Tomorrow is the wrap up, tidy up a few jobs & then the BBQ. Thanks to Fortis BC for our wonderful new kitchen!

Getting back to normal

2011-05-24T12:10:00.000-07:00

The new kitchen is in and it looks fantastic! Lovely new cupboards and counter top, new appliances, ceiling and lighting make it look so professional. Lu-Anne has plenty of storage space and work surfaces. It is great to be back in the kitchen as it was pretty crowded with all of the children in the front of the space.

Thanks to Fortis for providing the new kitchen & boilers. The wrap up party is Saturday so I hope that many of our children & their parents will show.

Tonight the floor gets stripped and waxed then we can finish putting everything away.

Cabinets going in

2011-05-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

The new kitchen cabinets arrived yesterday and started going in today. Also new ceiling tiles arrived & installation started. So it is busy when you throw pre teens into the mix. We are getting great support from people providing dinners & the rotary Club gave us money to buy dinners so we are OK. It will be great to get the kitchen finished and in operation again.

Renovation Time

2011-05-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

One week finished without a kitchen and another to go. Thanks to Fortis BC we are getting a whole new kitchen which means two weeks without kitchen facilities as they tear the old one out & replace it. Sanctuary supporters from the community have been providing us with meals through the weeks & the Trail Rotary Club gave us money to buy some meals so it looks like Pizza & subs for 15 - 20 pre-teens next week. The drywall is up and being painted this weekend & the new cabinets are scheduled for next week. Exciting times at Sanctuary.