Parkland Restorative Justice makes $30,000 donation to support partners in Saskatoon and Regina

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Parkland Restorative Justice makes $30,000 donation to support partners in Saskatoon and Regina

Emokhare Paul Anthony

Daily Herald

The newly appointed Executive Director, Prince Albert Parkland Restorative Justice (PRJ), Chrissy Halliday has announced a significant donation to two local organizations, Micah Mission and Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) South Saskatchewan.

“It is really important that we continue to support our partner agencies and build on our commitment to work together to service our community,” said Halliday.

This donation of $30,000 to each organization follows the recent sale of the former Grace Mennonite Church building, which was originally donated to PRJ to use or sell as they saw fit. PRJ is sharing the proceeds with partner nonprofits to further support their community reintegration programs.

“When we had a large lump sum of cash, the board decided that … they would share the wealth,” Halliday said. “we’re constantly sharing resources and sometime the resources are just people and time, but this is a fantastic opportunity to unsure our partners stay involved and active.”

“It is really important that we continue to support our partner agencies and build on our commitment to work together to service our community,” Halliday added. “This donation is an opportunity to do just that — to strengthen our shared mission of healing and reintegration.”

PRJ received the former Grace building by donation when the congregation closed its doors. Halliday said they kept the building up and running for a year, but the cost of running it, combined with the lack of programming running out of it, convinced them to sell it.

“The building was an amazing gift; however, we came to realize that we did not have the capabilities to maintain the building as we would like,” Board Chair Deacon Brad Taylor said in a press release. “We sold it and are now using it as an opportunity to further strengthen our relationships with partner nonprofits.”

The donation to Micah Mission in Saskatoon and CoSA South SK, means both organizations can expand their programs that provide mentorship, housing assistance, education, and employment support for individuals reintegrating into society after serving a prison sentence.

“The gift that we have received from Parkland Restorative Justice will give us stability to carry our program forward for a few years to come (so) we really are able to provide the support (and) the encouragement that our organization supports. It provides community safety and strength for those who participate in the community in our efforts,” said Circles of Support Executive Director Charles Kooger.

“A major donation like this is going to directly impact our capacity to support the re-integration efforts of individuals entering the community of Saskatoon,” Micah Mission Executive Director Adriana Appleton added. “I think it will directly impact, as well, the feeling of belonging and safety, while supporting accountability, for these individuals and their efforts to really engage back into community after a period of incarceration.”

Appleton said many times, Micah Mission helps support former inmates who were incarcerated in Prince Albert, but are returning to their homes in Saskatoon. She said this donation will allow them to build relationships with inmates who will soon be released and begin living in Saskatoon

“(It) ensures that both of our organizations are contributing to community safety, and support for individuals,” she said.

CoSA South SK is based out of Regina. Kooger said he’s currently working with about four or five individuals who were previously incarcerated in Prince Albert, and have since moved to Regina after their release.

He said the strong partnership with Parkland Restorative Justice allows them to continue providing support for those trying to reintegrate.

PRJ is a non-profit organization that focuses on restorative justice principals like community healing, and reducing recidivism among former inmates.

editorial@paherald.sk.ca

‘Play if Forward’ Campaign officially underway

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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‘Play if Forward’ Campaign officially underway

Emokhare Paul Anthony

Daily Herald

The City of Prince Albert officially kicked off a new fundraising campaign for the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.

Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky announced the launch of the Play It Forward Campaign on Friday. The new leisure centre is scheduled to open in Spring 2025.

“This isn’t just a building, it’s a legacy,” Powalinsky said in a press release. “The Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre will unite and inspire us, creating a space where future generations can thrive.”

Powalinksy said the facility would be a cornerstone of recreation for Prince Albert and the region it serves. He said donating would allow residents to “leave a legacy” with the community.

“Each dollar raised represents more than money. It represents a commitment to the future of Prince Albert and the region we serve,” Powalinksy said during the launch.

“Today I invite everyone in Prince Albert to donate. Every contribution matters.”

Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Chief Executive Officer Tim Keller of Lake Country Co-op speaks during the announcement of the Play it Forward: Connecting Communities Campaign at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre on Friday morning.
Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Prince Albert Mayor Bill Powalinsky spoke during the announcement of the Play it Forward: Connecting Communities Campaign at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre on Friday morning.

The Play It Forward Campaign has set a fundraising goal of $20 million and is already halfway there thanks to a $10 million donation from Lake Country Co-op.

“Lake Country Co-op is honoured to play a leading role in this initiative,” Lake Country Co-op CEO Tim Keller said in a press release. “We’re inviting businesses and individuals alike to join us in building a space that belongs to all of us by donating.”

The Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre will be a home for all types of play—from cheering on competitive hockey games to splashing in the wave pool to competing in the lane pool.

“This project is a true testament to the power of collaboration,” Volunteer Campaign Planning Committee rep Ralph Boychuk added. “From city leaders, local businesses and community members to generous donors like Lake Country Co-op, everyone should be proud of the part they have played in shaping what this facility will become.”

The Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre will be a home for all types of play from cheering on competitive hockey games to splashing in the wave pool to competing in the lane pool. This centre is designed to host activities for all age groups.

Powalinsky said there have been some challenges during the process, but he’s confident the project will come in on budget.

“Spring of 2025 is the target (for opening),” Powalinsky said in an interview afterwards. “We’re looking (at the) end of March or early April. Of course, everybody knows that

during COVID there was a spike in building costs that really forced the City to reevaluate the financial position. They’ve put extra money into the project, watched it very, very carefully, and with the revised estimates and construction costs, it will be projected where we’re right on the money.”

–with files from Michael Oleksyn/Daily Herald

Beck said NDP will continue to raise issue of northern food prices when legislature resumes sitting in 2025

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Beck said NDP will continue to raise issue of northern food prices when legislature resumes sitting in 2025

Elected officials need to find solutions that go beyond blaming Carbon Tax says Beck

Emokhare Paul Anthony, Daily Herald

Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck said her party will continue to make food prices in the north a priority when the legislature resumes sitting next year.

MLAs headed back home on Dec. 7, but Beck said there is still a need for to address the high cost of living in the northern part of the province, where residents have been hit hard by the increase in basic food prices.

“They need to be able to access health care and have access to food,” Beck said,” We are not going to get there if that party continues to fall back into the same old talking points.”

Beck said another issue in the north is high prices in transportation and a suspension of the fuel tax is something that would help bring prices down in the north.

An NDP motion to suspend the provincial 15-cent-a-litre gas tax failed in the legislature on Nov. 27, with the Premier saying there are better ways to save people money.

“In 2024, in a province as wealthy as ours, to have people coming down with scurvy is not acceptable. I think we can all agree on that. We put forward a motion. The member from Cumberland, Jordan McPhail, brought that forward with an honest intent, to work on both sides of the aisle in the legislature to come up with some solutions for what, I think we should again all be able to agree, is something unacceptable…. Of course, the Sask. Party voted that motion down, but doesn’t mean we’re done talking about it.”

In December, the NDP presented photos showing northern residents were being charged $18.09 for a 4 L jug of mile, and $19.99 for a 907 g package of grapes.

When asked about their response to increasing food prices in the north, the provincial government issued a statement saying the carbon tax was “a main driver” of inflation on a number of items, including groceries. The province said removing the carbon tax would make life more affordable.

Beck said before the last sitting at the Legislature, Premier Scott Moe talked about hearing the message of change. She said the government’s response to food prices in the north shows the province is not interested in change.

“Is that (the carbon tax) contributing? There is likely a portion of that cost that is increased, but what are the other factors? What are the other things we can control here right now? We’ve stated repeatedly our opposition to the Carbon Tax, but it still, as elected leaders, falls on us to find solutions. We’ve been putting them forward,” she said.

Beck said voters tired of fighting, and want to see solutions. She said McPhail’s motion was a good faith attempt to give the issue of northern food prices the attention it deserved.

This past sitting at the Legislature saw the introduction of a number of new members. More than half of NDP MLAs sitting this fall were brand new to their roles. Beck said she was happy with how her new MLAs performed.

“l have high expectations of this team and am happy to say they exceeded expectations,” said Beck. “I have heard people who have watched some in action saying this is a team that hit the ground running.”

In a press release on Tuesday, the Premier said he the government knows affordability is “top of mind” for many Saskatchewan residents. Moe cited the introduction of the Saskatchewan Affordability Act and the SaskEnergy Amendment Act as ways the government was addressing the issue.

–with files from Jason Kerr and Valerie G. Barnes-Connell Jordan

Mont St. Joseph and Prince Albert Raiders fill shelves at food bank with Christmas donation

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Mont St. Joseph and Prince Albert Raiders fill shelves at food bank with Christmas donation

Emokhare Paul Anthony, Daily Herald

The staff and residents of Mont St. Joseph Home and Prince Albert Raiders have joined forces to help make sure the city’s most vulnerable residents have something to eat.

The two organizations both ran campaigns for the food bank, and on Dec. 5, they combined their donations and handed them over to the Prince Albert Food Bank.

“It’s really important to our Mont St. Joseph organization that we support our community as best as we can,” said Jessica Gale, the Director of Foundation Development for the Mont. St. Joseph Home. “One of our missions is to give and receive care, and for us to be able to raise some much-needed supplies for our community really serves our mission. It’s Christmas time, and it’s one of the ways that we can give back.”

Gale said it was absolutely astounding to see how many boxes and bags of food Mont St. Joseph residents, staff, and community members made during the campaign. A final total was not available by press time, but Gale said they were happy with the result.

“We put it out to anybody who has a connection to our home and was interested in helping us with our donation this year,” she said. “We had four tables out and we started a small competition between each one of our neighbourhoods to see who could fill their table the best.”

Gale said they were also happy to partner with the Raiders. On Dec. 3, the Prince Albert hockey club asked fans to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food bank. In a statement on social media, the Raiders said they were pleased with the response.

“This has got to be one of the biggest food bank donations we have ever given,” the club said in a statement posted on social media. “Thank you to everyone for your generosity. Big thanks to Mont St. Joseph Home for helping us out with this haul to the Prince Albert Food Bank for the holiday season.”

The food bank game is one of several campaigns the Raiders run during the holiday season. On Dec. 6, they held their annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss Night, then on Dec. 10, they hosted Prince Albert’s Santa Anonymous Night with the Optimist Club, where fans were encouraged to donate an unwrapped toy.

The Mont St. Joseph Home also has other activities planned for the holidays. They’ve partnered with the Salvation Army to run a few Kettle Bells as part of the organization’s annual Christmas fundraising campaign.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Premier happy with first legislative session since election, opposition blasts session as ‘missed opportunity’

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Premier happy with first legislative session since election, opposition blasts session as ‘missed opportunity’

Emokhare Paul Anthony, Daily Herald

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he’s satisfied with what his government was able to accomplish during the first sitting of the Legislature since the fall election, but NDP leader Carla Beck said the government left too many opportunities on the table.

In a press release on Tuesday, Moe said the government knows affordability continues to be “top of mind’ for many Saskatchewan residents. He pointed to the new Saskatchewan Affordability Act as a sign the government was taking those concerns seriously.

“It is a fulfillment of the commitment we made during the recent election campaign,” Moe said. “It aims to deliver long-term sustainable support for all Saskatchewan residents and families.”

Moe said he was also pleased with a recent SaskEnergy Amendment Act, 2024, which he said fulfills the government’s commitment to extend the carbon tax exemption on home heating.

Effective January 1, 2024, Moe said that the removal of the federal carbon tax from residential SaskEnergy bills is saving the average Saskatchewan family approximately $400.

The provincial government argues that due to the expected increase in the carbon tax on April 1, 2025, from $80 to $95 per tonne, the continued removal of the federal carbon tax from residential SaskEnergy bills will save the average Saskatchewan family approximately $480 in 2025.

“By passing The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act, 2024, our government will continue providing Saskatchewan residents with real relief by keeping home heating exempt from the carbon tax,” Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Jeremy Harrison said in a press release.

“It was unfair for the Liberal-NDP federal government to provide carbon tax relief for people who live in one region of the country, and our government will keep fighting until the carbon tax is removed everywhere, on everything, for everyone.” Harrison.

The Scott Moe led government in addition has also introduced The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act. The Act will allow municipalities and First Nations to opt in to new rules that regulate the possession, transportation and storage of items that may be used as street weapons, such as large knives, machetes or bear spray. 

“We know from talking to police and community leaders there is a need for strengthened resources to ensure each Saskatchewan resident enjoys a safe and flourishing neighbourhood,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod in a press release. “There is no room for any form of violence in Saskatchewan. We are ensuring that these rules will give communities more options to address individuals that use street weapons to intimidate or harm people in public spaces, and empowering SCAN officers to actively respond to nuisance or dilapidated properties to address immediate safety concerns in an effort to create safer communities across Saskatchewan.”

McLeod said the legislation builds on the Bear Spray Regulations (The Wildlife Control (Capsaicin) Products Regulations) passed earlier this year. The Act’s rules will prohibit people from possessing and carrying large knives, bear spray and other street weapons in public spaces where a municipality or First Nation has chosen to opt in to the new rules.

The government says the rules will also prohibit people from defacing or altering street weapons in a manner that makes them easier to conceal. 

However, NDP leader Carla Beck said the most recent session in the legislature showed no signs the new government was listening to voters.

Beck said the government is out of steam and out of touch, and offers no immediate solutions to the rising cost of living.

“I think this session has been a huge missed opportunity for the Sask. Party,” Beck said in a press release.

Following the fall election, Beck said the Saskatchewan NDP has focused on on healthcare and the high cost of living, presenting several bipartisan solutions that the Sask. Party blocked.

“People elected us to fix issues and get stuff done. But every step of the way the government refused to change,” said Beck.

Beck said the Saskatchewan Party’s tax measures will not provide relief until 2026, if ever. She said residents could have seen taxes reduced on gas, groceries, and kids’ clothing in time for the Christmas holidays.

“The session is over and done with, and life won’t be any easier for all the hardworking people struggling to put gifts under the tree,” Beck said. “Life won’t be any different for all the people who need healthcare and need to fly to Calgary or Toronto to get it. People are no better off and it’s incredibly frustrating.”

“The Sask. Party ignored calls to work across party lines to address critical issues.” Beck added. “They blocked an emergency motion aimed at investigating Northern Saskatchewan’s rising cost of living, which has contributed to a resurgence of scurvy, with at least 27 reported cases. An emergency motion to get Saskatchewan’s healthcare system out of last place through a bipartisan healthcare committee was similarly blocked.”

Beck said her party is ready with a team that will work with community leaders to build made-in-Saskatchewan solutions and show the residents to be a government in waiting.”

Klassic Kruisers provide boost to Salvation Army toy campaign

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Klassic Kruisers provide boost to Salvation Army toy campaign

Emokhare Paul Anthony

Daily Herald 

Prince Albert Salvation Army community ministry co-lead Major Ed Dean said they are grateful for a donation of toys from the Klassic Kruisers Kar Klub that will help ensure more children have a gift under the tree this Christmas.

“It is always a welcoming call because getting enough toys to serve the community is always a challenge,” Dean said. “We want to make sure every child we are reaching out to has a gift. When the Klassic Kruisers called, we didn’t know what was coming, but it’s always excited to see.”

Dean added that it’s impressive to see a small club like the Klassic Kruisers identify a need, and step forward to fill it.

Dean said roughly 230 families are registered have received toys from the Salvation Army this Christmas. He estimates that means roughly 500 children between the ages of zero and 14 years of age will need a gift.

“We do the toys rather than a food hamper (program) because there was already somebody doing that piece,” Dean added.

Dean said most of the Salvation Army’s fundraising at this time of year goes directly into the meal programs. The organization prepared 50,000 meals this past year, while also fundraising to send children to camp, distributing clothing free of charge, and operating a warming centre.

Dean said those are all important programs, but providing a toy for every child is particularly special.

“Every family, their desire to give their child the best Christmas that it can be,” Dean said. “When the Salvation Army does something like this, it’s allowing a family to say, ‘okay, I can pay the rent, and I can give my child a Christmas…. This bridges some of the gap for families who are maybe struggling at this time of year. There are enough expenses already.”

Klassic Kruisers Car Club president Les Nemish was on hand to donate the toys on behalf of the club. Nemish said they have donated toys to the Salvation Army a couple of times in the past, and were happy to do so again this year.

“We’re fortunate as a car club that we have a community that supports us, and we’re giving back to the community by donating to the Salvation Army,” Nemish said.

“Having kids and grandkids, and seeing the smiles on their faces when they receive a gift, that’s priceless. We don’t get to see those faces, but we get to see the faces of Major Ed and Major Charlotte when we bring the smiles in here. We know the smiles that are on their faces probably (mirrors) the smiles of the kids who are less fortunate.”

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

The Yard Entertainment District welcomes familiar face with new restaurant

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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The Yard Entertainment District welcomes familiar face with new restaurant

Emokhare Paul Anthony, Daily Herald

The Yard Entertainment District welcomed a familiar set of golden arches with the opening of a new fast food restaurant in the area on Wednesday.

Raj Bains, the franchisee and operator of Prince Albert’s two McDonald’s restaurants, celebrated with staff, guests, and dignitaries as he officially opened his third in The Yard on Wednesday.

“I’m very excited,” Bains said. “This is one more restaurant to serve our community. We are very excited to open the doors and we are looking forward to having our community come and serve on this end of the town.”

Bains celebrated the occasion by offering guests a chance to win prizes, and pledging to donate a portion of the proceeds from every Big Mac sold between Dec. 6-12 to the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Victoria Hospital.

Bains said he wants to make sure families visiting Prince Albert for medical issues always have a place to stay. He said the new Ronald McDonald House opening in Prince Albert will help fill that need.

“We are very excited because we are very closely associated with Ronald McDonald’s House,” Bains said. “Ronald McDonald House for us is big. You can see it through McHappy Days, and we also do certain other sponsorships with Roman McDonald’s House.

“Especially, this is a home away from home. We are catering (to) all of Northern Saskatchewan.”


A McDonald’s employee prepares a basket of fries at the new location that opened Wednesday in The Yard Entertainment District. — Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

McDonald’s is the latest business to open in The Yard Entertainment District. The list includes Firehouse Subs, SaskTel, and a Holiday Inn Express. Bains said he’s happy to see a McDonald’s join the list.

“This is a new iconic area in PA,” Bains said. “If you look at it, we have a community center, we have a rink coming in, we have hotels coming in, and this is one of the iconic areas. It’s going to be just as strong as Cornerstone.”

Bains said adding a third McDonald’s to Prince Albert also made sense. He said the third location will help serve the growing southeast end of the city.

Bains said they were also focused on supporting people coming in from the highway heading to Melfort. He said the McDonald’s is ideally located to be a stop-off location.

“We just wanted to make sure all the corners of the city are served, and it’s convenient,” Bains said.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Larry Krause and Timberline look to ‘kick-start’ the Christmas season with Prince Albert concert

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Larry Krause and Timberline look to ‘kick-start’ the Christmas season with Prince Albert concert

Emokhare Paul Anthony

Daily Herald Contributor

Larry Krause is in the Christmas spirit, and he hopes his band Timberline can add to it with a series of shows in the Prince Albert area.

After performances in Big River, Nipawin, Belbutte, and Melfort, Krause will return to the stage with three straight weekend performances, including one at the Prince Albert Heritage Centre on Sunday, Dec. 1.

“I am really, really pleased in the fact that there was enough interest that got me pointed in the right direction that that we needed to do it again,” Krause said. “We’re returning to some places that we have been to before and had other communities that we had not been to reach out to ask about the prospect of coming out to visit them, so we’re doing that as well.”

Krause will be performing with his Timberline Band, which includes members Garry Larson and Dave Sinclair. Krause said it’s always a pleasure to play with them.

“We’ve been playing together now for over 20 years. We figure if we keep going another five or six years we’ll probably get it right,” he joked.

Krause said Prince Albert residents expect some upbeat music, as well as some reflective pieces. There will be chances for audience participation. Krause said he often gets comments that the show reminds people of the old schoolhouse Christmas pageants and storytelling.

“Generally we have a lot of fun with it,” Krause said.

“I like the atmosphere that comes out from the people who are wanting to embrace the Christmas season and are looking for a way to kick-start it. I guess that’s what I like to think that we do with these. We get people into the Christmas frame of mind. The reason we celebrate Christmas is not just a stat holiday. It’s a celebration of what we believe, and it makes people feel good. I guess that’s probably the thing that keeps me coming back. The music is appreciated, the smiles, and it makes people feel good.”

Sunday’s show at the Prince Albert Heritage Centre begins at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for adults at $20.00 and children under 12 at $5. He will also perform at the Gary Anderson Community Centre in Chrisopher Lake on Friday, Nov. 29, and in Duck Lake on Saturday, Nov. 30.

The Christopher Lake concert is also the inaugural concert for the Live at Broda Lounge Concert Series, which will continue into the new year.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Prince Albert Concert Choir focuses on peace and harmony with upcoming winter performance

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Prince Albert Concert Choir focuses on peace and harmony with upcoming winter performance

Emokhare Paul Anthony

Daily Herald

The Prince Albert Concert Choir plans to bring a message of peace and harmony when they gather at Calvary United Church for their Winter Concert on Friday.

Singer and concert choir executive committee president O’Leary said “Voices for Peace” will feature a variety of pieces, ranging from the joyful Ojibway calling song “Ambe” to French and Latin songs.

“The overall theme of our concert is peace, so all of our songs have something to do with peace or harmony or togetherness,” O’Leary said.

“The mood is (one of) anticipation,” she added. “(We’re) not necessarily nervous because we’ve been rehearsing since September. We’re not nervous, we’re just excited.”

O’Leary said the choir will perform Latin works such as “The Armed Man: Mass for Peace” through to the renowned French Cantique de Jean Racine, and the contemplative Dirat-On and continuing with hopeful and celebratory Gospel pieces “The Storm is Passing Over” and “The Freedom Trilogy.” The event will also feature guest musicians from Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

“Normally, we do a Christmas concert in December, but this year we decided to do something a little Christmas adjacent with the theme of Peace and Harmony,” O’Leary explained. “We’re not doing any traditional Christmas music, but our theme is peace and harmony, which is adjacent to Christmas.”

The Prince Albert Concert Choir is directed by Perry Acorn. He said they wanted songs that emphasize peace, especially in light of current events.

“In light of the fact that war rages in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, let alone the other global conflicts that we are aware of, but don’t even think of or talk about anymore, I started to think this might be a better time than any to put some of this text out there with this beautiful music to maybe give us a different type of hope and peace that we usually think of at Christmas time this time of year,” Acorn explained.

“Voices for Peace” is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 29, starting at 7 p.m.

Admission is by donation. O’Leary said the funds go towards helping pay the choir’s expenses, such purchasing new music or new folders.

–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald

Prince Albert Ronald McDonald House gets major boost thanks to $550,000 donation from local family foundation

Emokhare Paul Anthony
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Prince Albert Ronald McDonald House gets major boost thanks to $550,000 donation from local family foundation

Emokhare Paul Anthony

Daily Herald

The Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Miles to Go Campaign received a big boost in October from a Prince Albert family.

On Oct. 11, the charity announced that Gord and Barb Broda and the Cas and Marie Broda Family Foundation of Prince Albert had donated $550,000 for the construction of the new Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan CEO Tammy Forrester said they were thrilled and humbled by the family’s generosity.

“This gift is incredibly important to RMHC-SK as it speaks to the commitment that the Broda family has to supporting families and communities,” Forrester said in a press release. “It is their second gift to a capital project in RMHC SK’s history as they generously gave back in 2012 during Saskatoon’s House expansion. We are thrilled by their support and humbled by their generosity.”

The new 12 guestroom House in Prince Albert will support a total of 494 families per year; $8 million of the capital raised will contribute to the provincial expansion, in Prince Albert. In an interview with the Herald, Forrester said the project will benefit families with children receiving care at Victoria Hospital.

“Families have to feel like this is home or as close to home as possible—a place of comfort, safety, where they can just be who they are,” Forrester said. “If we’ve created a space like that for all the people we serve, then I feel like we are doing the work we have been called to do.” 

The Prince Albert Ronald McDonald House will provide families with a warm and welcoming home away from home and the support they will need while their children receive the medical attention that requires a lengthy hospital stay.

“Children are our future,” reads a statement from the Broda family on the donation. “The support of children and families is the backbone of building stronger communities. This has always been a philanthropic initiative that we as the Broda Family have been drawn to.”

Forrester said the capital project aims to raise a total of $26.5 million provincially to build Houses in Regina and Prince Albert. She said the Broda donation was a welcome boost, but they still have a long way to go before hitting their fundraising goal.

“We’re definitely not there yet,” she said. “We’re still very much in the fundraising stage and I’m pretty positive about how it’s going. I think the community has been very supportive but we will obviously set our sights on outside communities like Nipawin, Melfort, and Meadow Lake, and Northern communities with families that will use the house.”

Forrester said the donation from the Broda Family is the biggest so far in Prince Albert.

“ln Prince Albert. It is the biggest and we are still reaching out to other people to come in (and) hoping that others will see the value that we serve Prince Albert families,” Forrester said.

Forrester said the new it saves families out of pocket expenses to have a Ronald McDonald House nearby. Guests are asked to contribute $10 per night to cover operating costs, a number that hasn’t changed since 1985, but no family will be turned away if they can’t pay. The house includes everything from a parking space to a guest room, laundry services, and food services.

“You can stay in the house as long as that child is in the hospital,” Forrester said.

The Prince Albert Ronald McDonald House location was offered as a donation by Lake Country Co-op last year, which removed the cost of buying a plot of land. Forrester said it’s an ideal location next to the hospital, so families can be closer to their sick children.

“We anticipate, we’ll be able to hopefully start building later this year or early next year depending on how we do with fundraising,” Forrester said.

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