LEASK (Skwn) — Connie Jessop and Joanne McHanson, who are members of All Saints Anglian Church in Leask, decided to apply for a grant from the Anglican Foundation of Canada. The Foundation’s goal with the Request for Proposals (RFP) was to encourage more churches to go beyond their walls to establish or expand connections and relationships with external community partners.
Grants were considered based on impact and how the project would help establish a new community ministry partnership or meaningfully expand an existing partnership in a local context.
Eligible uses of the funding included administrative expenses, travel costs, equipment, technical costs, remuneration, honoraria and food. Leask received $3,100 from the Anglican Foundation, while SUMA insurance donated $500, which covered their costs with some left over for a future event in the fall.
Posters were sent out advertising a night of potluck supper, fun, fellowship and dancing to the music of the Turtle River Outlaws Band. Sharon Prystupa made up different posters every two weeks in March for display in the Price-Less Market. Support letters were received from the R.M of Leask and the Village of Leask.
The Leask Happy Homesteaders (seniors’ group) volunteered along with members of the Legion, who also donated the Hall rent-free.
“One night, One Community, Infinite Kindness in Small and Simple Acts” was the theme, with signs at the end of each table about the benefits of kindness.
Kindness turns challenges into chances to care; it is the best kind of strength, a choice, make it often, every act of kindness plants hope, creates the world we want, is love in action, the heart’s way of smiling and building strong communities through one act at a time.
Tables were covered with paper decorated by the school kids with messages of love and kindness.
Gift pouches were given to each person with miscellaneous items promoting kindness, including a Bingo card where you mark off acts of good deeds (visit a senior, wave on main street, leave a thank you note … ) to complete your card.
There were about 80 people at the supper, young and old, families and young couples. Some had decks of cards out, others were just happy to visit. Everyone brought food, and as with any community potluck, there was lots of it.
There was no cost and people could put their name in a draw for door prizes. They also had a chance to guess how many jelly beans were in a jar. Note: my guess was the winning guess!
Some also made donations of money and items to the food bank. Joanne told me she received three cases of soup and donations of cash to the food bank from people she met on the street who were unable to attend the supper.
Before saying the Grace before the meal, Connie spoke of the benefits of living in a small community: you don’t need a weather app, as someone will tell you what’s coming, while you know who’s driving down Main Street by the vehicle they are driving. In a small community, organized committees are also essential acts of kindness.
“We cannot attend every event or sit on every committee, but to quote Helen Keller, “We can’t do everything, but we can do something.”
“Something” is where kindness begins.
