Through bridge luncheons and rummage sales, a dedicated group of tireless women are making a big difference for Calgarians in crisis each year.
The Samaritan Club of Calgary raises money through twice-yearly garage sales, golf tournaments, and a casino to provide short-term assistance to people in need. Generally, these are folks who land outside of the usual safety nets and are referred by social workers or other agencies. “We are really an agency of last resort,” says Gail Lusis, the Samaritan Club of Calgary’s executive officer.
Funds are also earmarked for education and scholarships, transportation, medical and dental procedures, aids to daily living, the Louise Dean School, Christmas toys, and sending special needs children to camp. And in keeping with the original tenet of the organization, funds are budgeted for baby layettes for new moms living in poverty — 500 were donated in the past year.
The Samaritan Club, which now numbers 175 women, was founded in 1910 by Leonora Woods, wife of the then publisher of the Calgary Herald. During the First World War, the members drove a wagon team around the city collecting junk, rags and paper which they sold to benefit the Prisoner of War Fund.
These days the needs are more immediate: a bag or two of groceries, medications, infant formula, even bus passes. The club has even branched out to fund a school breakfast program at St. Mark School. One corner of a classroom is filled with healthy cereal, granola bars and fruit. At this school in Calgary’s northeast Marlborough neighbourhood, Lindsay Dell’s students come from a variety of backgrounds, and many are children of immigrants and refugees who are busy working several jobs to pay the bills.
“They have a lot of day-to-day challenges,” says Dell, “and because of that, we found that some kids were eating their lunches in the morning, because they didn’t have enough to eat before they came to school. Then they were hungry at lunchtime.”
Humble and avoiding the limelight, the Samaritan Club does not advertise its services, preferring to “fly under the radar” to do its good work. It’s a sure bet that those who have benefited from its generosity know exactly who these good Samaritans are.
To donate, call 403-235-7481 or go to https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/startup.aspx?eventid=273670
To read other Christmas Fund stories, go to calgaryherald.com/tag/calgary-herald-christmas-fund-2018