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WILKIE ‑ The adopt-a-grandparent project was started by Teagan Goodchild who recently moved to Wilkie with her husband and children. She had heard and seen that the project had worked in other communities.

In conversations with her friend Chantele Wiebe, another young woman, who with her husband and kids were also recent newcomers to Wilkie, the two young women decided to start the program.

The Wilkie duo, four years ago, decided to describe the project on a Facebook post, explaining the concept and the reasons for starting it. The community was generous and receptive to the idea, with cash donations from the community and district.

In the first year, they were able to purchase gifts for the seniors. To make it a project that involved everyone including children, the women came up with the idea of the youngsters making Christmas cards and helping with the delivery of the presents. The smiles from the seniors made the efforts rewarding for all those involved.

Then came the pandemic and all the rules and regulations to keep everyone safe. It has meant that for the past two years, they have run the project, collecting the cash donations and giving money collected to the Bethany Enhanced Living and Poplar Courts Special Care Home in Wilkie.

This year the organizers received $1,710 in cash donations which was divided between the facilities. As it has been since the start of the project, the response has been overwhelming, making in a labour of love.

The money will be used by Lynn Christiansen, manager at Bethany and Jessi Pernitsky, activities director at Poplar Courts, to buy special extras for the grandparents to enjoy. Because of the pandemic, all fundraising has been put on hold and gifts from the adopt-a-grandparent project are important.