Emokhare Paul Anthony
Daily Herald
Mont St. Joseph will welcome the entire community on Sept. 14 when they host their annual Grandparents Day event.
The day will include live entertainment, fun and games for the kids, family BBQ with ball drop raffle at the prime minister’s park starting at 2.30pm.
“Grandparents Day is a nationally celebrated holiday. It’s usually held on the second Sunday in September of the year and it’s one of our favourite traditions here at the Mont St. Joseph Home,” Foundation Development Director Jessica Gale said. “It’s a great day to invite all of our family and friends from the community to come in and share some time with our residents.
“Everyone is welcome, it’s a great day. We have live entertainment, come in, we have some fun and games and face painting for the kids and then we wind up the day with a free family barbecue.”
Gale said it’s really important to make sure that grandparents still feel like they’re valued within the community. By bringing the community into the home, Gale said, residents can see and feel that love.
“It’s easy for them. They get to stay in the home. They don’t have to travel out. They can have as many people over as they like, and we’re putting the meal on, so it’s no different than if they were having folks come over in their home,” Gale explained.
The day will include several major activities, but the biggest is the annual ball drop raffle.
Gale said this will be the fourth year that the ball drop raffle held, but for the first time it sold out well in advance.
“We sell 3,000 tickets and the ticket number corresponds to a numbered golf ball that the fire department drops 100 feet from their ladder truck to the hole below, and the first three balls in the hole below, the people with the corresponding numbers will win cash prizes,” Gale said.
Gale said the community really rallied behind the ball drop raffle this year. She said the event is becoming a regular staple at the home, so more and more Prince Albert residents have it on their calendars.
“As soon as we’re done the raffle folks are phoning still to find out when the next one’s going to start.” said Gale. “Obviously, it’s resonating with the community, which is great for us…. We love having everyone get excited about what we’re doing, and it really helps ensure that our foundation is able to support our home and make sure that this place continues to be a welcoming environment.”
Gale said the home is looking to redevelop the way the house offers residents a dining experience. She said it’s a major renovation program for the home, and all funds raised at this year’s event will help support it.
–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
