By Tyler Marr

‘Gargantuan’ gathering efforts roll in for Gifts for the Guys

Dec 23, 2017 | 10:03 AM

This week, one could have mistaken Coun. Evert Botha’s dining room for the warehouse of a department store.

Rows of toiletries sat beside piles of toques, mittens, socks and candy canes, all surrounded by various bags and backpacks.

The items stem from donations for an initiative spearheaded by Botha and regular volunteer Conrad Burns to make the annual Community Christmas Dinner a bit more special for the men who will be in attendance.

The duo is collecting winter necessities and toiletries, packing them into bags and will gift them to men at the dinner on Christmas Day. The two were influenced heavily by Coun. Charlene Miller, who, for a number of years, championed a similar program for women.

“It has been overwhelming to see the support of the community,” Botha said, acknowledging the fact only 10 days had passed and the team had nearly reached their goal of items for 125 bags. “There is not a shortage of support for this unique project and it continues.”

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Earlier this week, the two met at the councillor’s home and were joined by various community business leaders and Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback, all making generous donations to the cause.

Hoback was not surprised by the overwhelming generosity of his constituents, saying they “are always there when you need them.”

“When you look at the table and all the things that are around here, this riding steps up whenever it has to,” he said. “This is great to see.”

Focusing on men further added to the pleasure of the program, according to Hoback, who admitted at times “when people are giving, they look at children and the family as a unit, and the men tend to get forgotten about.”

“We are just saying don’t forget about the men. They have needs and requirements and help take care of their families,” he added. “It is nice to focus on men as well as women and children and families.”

Hoback is not the only politician to support the cause. Both NDP MLA Nicole Rancourt and Sask. Party MLA Joe Hargrave have given to the worthy cause. Various local businesses and even the Salvation Army and Food Bank have equally got in on the generosity.

On Dec. 10, Cpt. Laura Van Schaik with the Salvation Army said she excited to assist, more so as the group is piggybacking off the work of other community members. 

For Botha, the overwhelming outpouring of support showed Prince Albert is “a caring and a giving community.”

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr