The Connections Centre got a $6,000 boost thanks to a donation from the Kinsmen Club of Stratford.
The club, keeping in mind its motto of “Serving the community’s greatest need,” donated 12 $500 Walmart gift cards to help the centre purchase supplies for its participants.
These cards will be used for a variety of items based on what's needed month-to-month. In a news release issued Wednesday, housing stability worker Sara K. noted “the centre may need tarps and water bottles one month, laundry soap and shampoo the next - this is largely dependent on what our kind community donates throughout the year. What’s for certain is this monthly donation will always directly benefit the participants of our program. We are extraordinarily grateful for Kinsmen’s generosity."
For more information, see the full release below:
On April 2nd the Kinsmen Club of Stratford keeping in mind its motto of “Serving the community’s greatest need” dropped by the Connections Centre to give a $6,000.00 boost to the centre in the form of 12 monthly $500 gift cards for use at Walmart to assist in purchasing supplies for the centres participants.
The Connection Centre opened in December of 2021. Its primary funder is the United Way, and it is operated and staffed by the Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth. The Connection Centre’s community partners include the City of Stratford, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, Perth District Health Unit and Local Community Food Centre, as well as many local businesses and churches.
To date, the Connection Centre has welcomed more than 500 unique individuals. Some of those folks have become regulars others have received support and moved on from our service. The Centre see’s on average 25 people per day, and as many as 40 on its busiest days. Many of the participants it supports are sleeping rough others are accessing emergency shelter, are precariously housed, or are otherwise vulnerable. The supports provided are client-centred and depend on the needs and goals of the individual.
The application of the monthly $500 gift cards donated by the Stratford Kinsmen will vary from month to month. Sara noted “the Centre may need tarps and water bottles one month, laundry soap and shampoo the next - this is largely dependent on what our kind community donates throughout the year. What’s for certain is this monthly donation will always directly benefit the participants of our program. We are extraordinarily grateful for Kinsmen’s generosity”.
The Stratford Kinsmen will be hosting three events in the next four months where if you would like to support them with a free will donation there will be a donation bucket available. All proceeds received from these events are used in the community. Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to Noon the annual Bottle Drive, proceeds to Cystic Fibrosis. Kinsmen will be happy to receive your empty beer, wine and liquor bottles at the drop off location at Strickland's Toyota, 945 Erie St. Then on Sunday, June 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. it is the ever popular Classic Car show on Lakeside Drive at the Lake free to all Car Buff viewers with over 200 classics and a 50/50 Draw.
Then on Monday, July 1 the Canada Day Fireworks celebration at the SERC Park between Matilda and Foreman St. Kinsmen have been hosting the fireworks for over 30 years. Come early to get a good spot bring a lawn chair or blanket. The food vendors will be starting at 7:30 p.m. The Canada Day, Concert begins at 8 p.m. with the Fireworks at dusk.
Chartered in 1945, the Kinsmen Club of Stratford was one of the most recognized service clubs in the city and at one time had over 75 active members. Major fund-raising and service projects over the past 65 plus years have included Arena Booth, Canada Day and Santa Claus parades, Canada Day fireworks, Stratford Blues and Ribfest, Camp Tanner, high school bursaries and Cystic Fibrosis fo name a few..
Kin Canada, “Only In Canada EH!” is Canada’s largest all-Canadian service organization, made up of Canadian men and women who gather together in clubs to volunteer their time for the purposes of bettering their communities by performing ‘hands-on’ service work, raising funds for important community projects and having fun.
If you would like more information on the Kinsmen Club of Stratford or would like to come out to a meeting just contact us at www.stratfordkinsmen.ca
