Christmas dinner for the less fortunate

Charlie Laboucan says he really appreciates the Christmas dinner the High Prairie Friendship Centre held Dec. 19.

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

This is a lonely time of year for Charlie Laboucan and other less fortunate people. However, the High Prairie Friendship Centre makes him feel welcome by always opening their doors to him. Such was the case Dec. 19 when Laboucan and others enjoyed the Christmas dinner staff prepared. “I really appreciate this, yes,” says Laboucan. He’s originally from Whitefish, and travels between High Prairie and other communities. He has also been to the MITAA Detox Centre. This is the second year the Friendship Centre has held a Christmas dinner for the homeless. Last year, Brian Holmberg and the High Prairie Inn donated all the food for the 35 who attended dinner. “We wanted to carry on the tradition because it was a big success (last year),” says executive director Sally Hamelin. “It’s our way of ensuring that the homeless people have a traditional Christmas dinner.” This year, John D. Taszlikowicz donated turkeys and stuffing. The staff at the Friendship Centre provided the rest of the food and prepared it. Hamelin commends her staff for caring for others. Another person who goes to the Friendship Centre is Verna Pearson. Apart from her son, she has no one else to spend Christmas with, making this a lonely time for her, too. However, she is still cheerful about life and encourages others to seek help from the Friendship Centre if they need it. “It’s a very friendly place. The staff are awesome,” she says. She provides bannock for the Friendship Centre’s Friday meals and works at their bingo hall out near Enilda. The Friendship Centre closed on Dec. 21 for the holidays and will reopen on Jan. 7.

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