SUNDRE – The statistics recorded by Sundre's Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society aren’t just numbers tracking program participation.
Each one represents the life of a person who benefited from the non-profit community service organization, said Kim Free, the society’s vice-chair.
Earlier this spring, Free alongside Donny Krahn, GNP’s executive director, highlighted last year’s activities as well as outlined upcoming plans and programs during a Town of Sundre council meeting earlier this spring.
The society is celebrating 25 years in 2025 and remains as committed as ever to its mission to provide support, resources and programs that will enhance the quality of life in the community, said Free, who presented a recap of statistics compiled in 2024.
“Just remember as I go through them, each individual number is literally a life that has been impacted,” she said.
Overall, the society fielded 3,451 inquiries or requests for service whether by phone, in person at the office, email or website, she said.
That included 720 referrals to crucial services such as: connecting people to services they need like government benefits, 31 per cent; services available in town, 27 per cent; transportation, 14 per cent; employment, 12 per cent; and food security, eight per cent.
A substantial portion of the society’s programming is also tailored toward older adults through a variety of events that offer seniors a chance to connect, as well as advocacy initiatives with 847 individual appointments that provided assistance with a range of services from faxing and photocopying to more complex matters like walking clients through what can be labyrinthine government programs.
“Seniors are a vital part of our community,” she said.
On the other end of the age demographic, GNP also supports initiatives through The Den – Sundre Youth Centre, with a total of 1,522 sign-ins from 131 events that involved 40 volunteers putting in more than 1,100 hours.
“It is a safe, judgment-free place specifically for them,” she said.
Last year also marked a milestone with an inaugural youth retreat held in November with guest speaker Scott Hammell, a magician, storyteller and stunt artist who inspired youth. Plans are already underway for a second annual youth retreat this fall after last year’s success, she said.
Perhaps the society’s most locally recognized program is the annual Sundre Santas initiative, which in 2024 delivered 115 hampers that helped bring some holiday cheer to 291 people thanks to support from the community as well as hundreds of volunteers facilitating the effort, she said.
None of these programs would be possible if not for financial support from multiple sources.
“While we’re not here today to ask for funding, we want to acknowledge the continued support we receive from the Town of Sundre,” she said.
Approximately 43 per cent of GNP’s funding comes from government grants, with another 41 per cent through donations as well as another 10 per cent from other assorted grant programs and six per cent other from other sources such as fundraisers.
Concluding the presentation, Free invited members of council who are available to consider attending the upcoming second annual live auction on the evening of Saturday, May 31 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223 in Sundre.
“We don’t always realize what you all do for the community and how many people it affects,” said Coun. Paul Isaac, adding the report drives it home.
“I don’t think anyone can say thank you enough,” said Isaac.
Coun. Owen Petersen asked whether GNP still planned to proceed with the annual Charity Checkstop fundraiser amid the Highway 27-Main Avenue construction.
“The plan is definitely to do it again, but based on construction,” said Krahn.
“The last thing we want to do is further aggravate motorists and town people who are so supportive of us,” she said, adding it will be a matter of identifying an appropriate time and location that minimizes the impact on traffic.
Although a specific plan had not yet been determined, Krahn said she did not favour setting up the check stop on the detour route out of concern of potentially frustrating drivers.
“We’re waiting to see how construction works out,” she said.
