Amanda Bruce, owner of Wheat Queens and Prairie Things. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)

By CJME News

Regina woman steps up for seniors impacted by alleged scam

Jan 16, 2021 | 5:00 PM

A man allegedly scammed people at a Regina care home around the holidays, supposedly tricking them into paying for over 80 gift baskets. Then, he didn’t deliver the orders.

However, a local woman decided to step up in a big way to turn a negative story into a positive one.

With support from others in the community, Amanda Bruce, owner of Wheat Queens and Prairie Things, managed to gather 85 gift baskets of their own, which she later donated to the care home that was impacted.

“It was just really sad that these folks were impacted, especially around Christmas time,” Bruce said. “The situation felt very negative, we knew it would make the seniors feel good and it would make us feel good too.”

The gift baskets contained locally made treats such as cookies and macaroons, as well as items that were donated from different vendors throughout the city. One vendor who had been scammed for gift baskets himself, Jason Zaphe of JIC Windows & Doors, even donated $500 to help others that were affected.

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“There’s just so much more good than there is bad, the level in which people stepped up without any question or hesitation to help and support those that were impacted far outweighs any damage that he did in our community,” Bruce said.

People who said they were scammed by JT Candy Creations have made a group on Facebook in hopes of finding some justice.

The man behind JT Candy Creations could not be reached for comment.

Bruce delivered all 85 of the locally curated gift baskets to the care home, that wished to stay anonymous, on Wednesday.

“Because the care home was on strict lockdown, the doors were sealed. But the director of the care home and a couple of the workers came out and they helped us just transport all the boxes and the gifts to the front,” she said. “They were extremely appreciative of what we did, they definitely did express their thanks.

“With the help of the vendors and everybody who donated we were able to get those gifts in their hands and just give them something to look forward to, we were able to rectify the situation a little bit and we are happy we could.”