HUMBOLDT — A tradition of paying it forward continues in Humboldt.
The Humboldt Good Neighbour Store, a non-profit that sells donated goods and then gives the proceeds to other non-profits, gave $370,000 to 44 organizations in and around Humboldt. They did this even as health restrictions reduced their opening hours for six months this year.
“We think we really did well. Thanks to the board who went above and beyond, all the volunteers that work their butts off,” said Gwen Saret, chair of the store’s board, adding that the volunteers are at the heart of what they do. “We're very pleased to have a great year and happy with it.”
Some of this year’s total did come from funds left over from last year.
Since it started in 1992, the store has disbursed $3.827 million to local organizations.
One major recipient this year was the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation. Lorrie Bunko, the hospital foundation’s executive director, said the $150,000 they received from the store will have a big impact.
“That is amazing and not expected,” she said. “They weren't open a full year last year or this year, so to receive this amount of money is just phenomenal.
Bunko said the foundation has a lot of needs they’re raising money for.
“We've been given a heads up that our inpatient beds have aged to the point where they’re breaking down, parts are getting hard to come by, and they need to be replaced.”
The plan is to replace 10 over three years. The foundation is also raising money for cardiac equipment, as well for obstetrics equipment for those giving birth.
“We have an extensive list and this is huge in support of that list,” Bunko said.
Saret said the hospital is important for the whole region.
“The hospital is something everybody in the whole area is going to use,” she said. “You're going to use it from when you are born until the moment you die.”
The St. Mary’s Villa Foundation is receiving $75,000 from the store.
“The villa is important in Humboldt and it’s got a rebuilding campaign going on,” Saret said
The villa foundation is trying to raise between $5 million and $8 million to pay for 20 per cent of the cost of a new home.
Once that amount is raised, the province will fund the rest
“We are so grateful to the Good Neighbor Store,” said Donna Muench, the villa foundation’s executive director. “They have helped us out every year. I've been there at the villa just over 16 years, and I know they helped out prior to that. They've been helping us a lot and it means the world to us, and the residents, to get this donation.”
So far, the villa foundation has raised around $300,000. They are currently hosting a 50/50 raffle that can be found at rafflebox.ca/raffle/smvfoundation.
Humboldt Good Neighbour Store 2021 disbursements
- Humboldt District Hospital Foundation Inc.
- St. Mary's Villa Foundation Inc.
- St. Michael's Haven
- Cudworth Nursing Home Rec Dept.
- Watson Care-A-Van Society
- Futuristic Industries Inc.
- Pilger Wapiti Regional Library
- Reid-Thompson Public Library
- Muenster Public Library, Parkland Region
- Lake Lenore Library
- Bruno Wheatland Regional Library
- St. Benedict Library
- St. Dominic School
- Humboldt Public School
- St. Augustine School Breakfast Program
- Englefeld School
- St. Augustine Catholic School Community Council
- LeRoy School SCC
- St. Augustine & St. Dominic School Safety Patrol Programs
- Bruno Senior Citizens Friendship Centre
- Humboldt Regional Community Safety Inc.
- Humboldt & District Food Bank
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Humboldt & Area
- Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre Inc.
- Humboldt and District Community Services
- Partners Family Services Inc.
- Humboldt Community Gathering Place Inc.
- The Benson-Hingley Military Museum
- Humboldt Ministerial
- Humboldt Area Arts Council
- Humboldt Music Festival Association
- Humboldt & District Special Olympics
- KidSport Humboldt and Area
- Original Humboldt
- Humboldt & District SPCA
- Humboldt Vintage Club
- Three Lakes First Responders
- Muenster Fire Department
- Muenster Village Green Space Project
- Pilger Playground Renewal Project
- Bill Brecht Playground Project
- Humboldt Ball Development Board
- Prairie Patchworkers Quilt Guild
- Quilting Angels Guild
