It will be a star-studded affair next Saturday evening when a veritable who's who of St. Albert's political scene gathers together for an event completely unrelated to Monday's election.
The city's six living mayors have all agreed to be toasted during a dinner that will be used as a promotion to help boost the stocks on the shelves at the St. Albert Food Bank.
Current Coun. Gareth Jones said the event was the brainchild of the St. Albert Breakfast Club. Normally the group sticks to early morning activities like listening to guest speakers from the province's political arena. This is its first major community fundraiser.
While the timing is certainly auspicious, he said choosing that date had more to do with thinking ahead to the Christmas season when hamper demand goes up at the food bank. While it is advertised as a toast, he hinted that it would likely have some elements of a roast to it as well.
"A toast with some antidotes," he joked, promising that it will be a splendid time with great food and wine plus a lot of laughter. He added that the toastees wouldn't have the opportunity to offer rebuttals either.
Getting their own personal toast will be recent mayors Nolan Crouse, Paul Chalifoux, Richard Plain, Anita Ratchinsky, Richard Fowler and John deBruijn. Among the evening's other notable guests will be Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel, MP Brent Rathgeber, former St. Albert council members Kent Davidson and Myrna Fife (who also served as an MLA) and — as of next week — retired councillor Carol Watamaniuk. Joe Becigneul, communications advisor to Rathgeber, will be the emcee.
Food bank executive director Suzan Krecsy offered her thanks for the community support, especially right after riding the wave of donations from the recent food drive.
"We're extremely grateful."
The gala dinner and mayor's toast takes place Oct. 23 at the St. Albert Inn & Suites with cocktails at 6 p.m.; food and barbs are served at 7 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Band and the Edmonton Girls Pipes and Drums.
Tickets are $100 each and can be obtained by calling Jones at 780-975-9893 or Katrina at 780-446-5326.
Page Cleaners collects coats for those who need them
The 19th annual United Way Coats for Kids and Families campaign kicked off Thursday with a record goal of 19,000 coats. Program co-ordinator Kristy Jacklin said that every year the demand goes up by about 1,000 coats and it doesn't look like it will slow down any time soon.
"Last year we collected and distributed almost 18,000 coats but the population continues to grow and the need continues to grow for programs such as this."
Anyone can drop off a new or gently used coat to any Page the Cleaner including the one in St. Albert. The coats will then be cleaned and sent to depots like churches and other social agencies to be sorted and distributed to people in need.
The campaign runs until Nov. 30. For more information call the United Way at 780-990-1000 or visit myunitedway.ca.
