One of the furnaces in Prince Albert's Children's Haven. (Submitted Photo/Amanda Robertson)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Helping Others

‘It’s a Christmas miracle’: P.A.’s Children’s Haven staying open for winter after getting funding to replace furnaces

Dec 12, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A Prince Albert organization aimed at helping children during family crises received a Christmas present they’ll never forget.

Children’s Haven was recently given $28,000 from the Northern Lights Community Development Corporation, a non-profit aimed at donating 25 per cent of the funds raised at the P.A. Northern Lights Casino.

The funds will be used to replace the centre’s three furnaces and two water heaters. They’ve been having issues, specifically with the furnaces, for over a year. Around a month ago one of three furnaces broke down.

Amanda Robertson, the program director for Children’s Haven, told paNOW without the funding they most likely would have had to close their doors for the winter.

“We wouldn’t have enough [money to replace the furnace] and to pay bills for the house too,” she said.

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Robertson explained they need all three furnaces to properly heat the centre. It’s quite large as it can provide support to up to 17 children at one time.

There was a lot of anxiety about what to do as fundraising hasn’t been easy as many people are struggling to cope with the current financial situation across the country.

“It really is a Christmas miracle,” said Robertson. “I don’t even have words to explain the feeling of somebody just donating this to us.”

The plan is to replace all five appliances over the next month and a half.

Robertson added the centre will remain open as they were told by the company installing the new furnaces and water heaters that there will be heat at all times.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

X: @princealbertnow