Go big or go home! That was the first thought as the truck and 24-foot trailer pulled in front of the Carlyle United Church where the food bank is presently located.
The Carlyle Food Bank was the lucky recipient of a huge donation from the Redvers Lions Club. Redvers Lions Club member Edmond Aime was excited and proud of his community as he described their food and clothing drive.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what club it is (Kinsmen, Lions Club, etc.), we feel like we haven鈥檛 been able to do very much because of COVID restrictions,鈥� Aime said. Determined to help, the club found ways to distance, protect people, and still gather resources.
Redvers residents gave generously to the call by boxing up and bagging up any belongings and leaving them on their front lawns and driveways marked for the Lions Club to pick up. Winter clothing and non-perishable food made up the bulk of the goods donated.
When asked why the Redvers Lions Club would extend themselves for the Carlyle Food Bank, Aime answered, 鈥淚f we can help one person, it doesn鈥檛 matter where it is, it鈥檚 worth it.鈥�
Aime expounded on many fundraising efforts the Redvers Lions Club has undertaken over the years including their wildly successful used hockey equipment exchange and Trip of the Month draw. The club will continue to run the Trip of the Month draw but will search for unique items to win as COVID prevents travel out of the country.
鈥淗opefully, we get returning buyers so we can continue to give to needs in communities,鈥� he mused. 鈥淲ith drilling programs cancelled (and other local economy changes) this could be a tough fall and a tough winter. I think there is a lot more hurting going on in our communities than we will ever know about.鈥�
Out of the approximately 18 Lions Club members, Aime was joined by Crystal Aime, Janet Dauvin and Derek Soroka to plan with Teresa Luedtke for where to unload the haul. Gord Paulley joined his Lions brothers and sisters to help transport the goods to the basement of the church where they will sit for a time, then be sorted and distributed where needed most.
When asked about what motivated her, Crystal Aime replied, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know, I just like to serve my community. It is the least I can do. We were always taught that way when we were growing up and we have passed that on as well.鈥�
Many people have the mindset 鈥業 am just one person, what can I do?鈥� Join an amazing group of people who work toward the same service you would like to see happen in your community.
