Age-Friendly Moosomin hosting Christmas fundraising supper

November 19, 2024, 11:14 am
Ryan Kiedrowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There’s going to be a traditional turkey supper for seniors at the United Church Hall in Moosomin on Dec. 8, with tickets by donation. The supper is being hosted by Age Friendly Moosomin.

“The unique aspect of this supper is that there is no charge for the supper ticket but every person accepting a ticket is expected to bring a monetary donation for the new Moosomin daycare,” explained Devona Putland, chair of the Age-Friendly Moosomin board. “Thanks to many generous business and individual donations, the expenses of the supper have been covered. Our group is hosting this supper to engage the older adults of the community in the support of the new daycare.”

The idea came from a senior’s supper Putland’s church in her hometown of Churchbridge would hold every year. Shifting the notion slightly to that of a fundraiser, the Age-Friendly group saw the special event as a way to promote interaction.

“Our goal is also to help with isolation,” Putland explained. “One of the World Health Organization statistics is that social isolation is as detrimental to someone’s health as pack-a-day smoking. You think about being an elder in a community if you no longer drive and get about easily, it makes it that you can suffer from social isolation, and we don’t want that to happen. So we’re providing the transportation, and we want people to come out, have a chance to sit down and converse with others, possibly go to the carol festival along with it, if they want to do that, or just to the meal. It’s up to them what they choose to do.”

Donations over $20 will also be eligible for a tax receipt, another feature Putland hopes will help prompt attendees to reach a little further into their pockets for the cause. Some donations are already starting to come in as Putland noted the turkeys and $500 in groceries have been donated to date.

“With this event being held towards the end of the tax year, we are hopeful that this fundraiser can be a success in assisting the daycare financially and in getting shovels in the ground,” she said.

There will be two seatings of 75 people for those ages 60-plus (at 4 pm and 5:30 pm), running in conjunction with the Community Carol Festival, which has two performances at 2 and 7 pm. Tickets do need to be reserved and can be claimed for either of the two seatings by calling Alice at (306) 435-2425. Tickets are first come, first served, but you will be asked for your preferred seating. There are also community shuttle buses available for those residing in town, which also helps with the limited parking space available at the United Church.

There have also been some young helpers recruited to assist during the event for people who may need a little help getting their meals to their table.

“We’re going to have some younger help there that will help carry plates if people need help with the buffet line,” Putland said. “I’ve got some young elementary school helpers that have volunteered, and they will help carry plates or beverages to tables. And we hope that it’s going to be a successful event that’s very welcoming.