There is a lengthy list of thank-yous to people and organizations that have supported the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund.

 

 

Thank you! So many of you have stepped up and supported the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund campaign over the years. You have helped change — and save — lives.

Every contribution is worth noting, whether large or small. That’s why we continue to list the names of donors during the annual fundraising campaign.
 
Here’s a glimpse of just a few of the many friends of the Cheer Fund over the years, who have helped benefit four local women’s shelters — SOFIA House, WISH Safe House, Regina Transition House and the YWCA Regina’s Isabel Johnson Shelter.

Karl Fix recruited some of Regina’s movers and shakers to spearhead the Bowties and Sweethearts fundraising gala, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the local women’s shelters supported by the Cheer Fund. A git-r-done kind of guy, he enlisted the support of Mosaic. The generosity of the potash giant helped ensure the success of the event.

Tim Young of Young’s Equipment played a major role in filling seats in the Hotel Saskatchewan’s ballroom.

Lisa Peters of Eye Inspire Events helped create a talk-of-the-town-calibre event.

And Dr. Denis Jones took over the reins so Fix could step back while the gala moved forward. Kudos to all who helped make Bowties and Sweethearts the largest contributor to the Cheer Fund!

The owners of Regina’s three Canadian Tire stores joined forces for several years to provide the Cheer Fund with major donations — the largest individual donations at the time. (Canadian Tire money was used only for Leader-Post photo ops!)

Nicky’s Cafe and Catering has been behind the Cheer Fund ever year, donating proceeds from Coffee Day. Even after Rob Vanstone mistakenly poured syrup instead of coffee into a patron’s cup, they welcomed Leader-Post staff back to “help” during the event.

The most creative donations used to come from Len Wallace and Gloria Cymbalisty, who, sadly, have both passed away. Every year, they donated $365 (adjusting if it was a leap year). One year, Len’s grandson, Jason Watson, built a robot out of loonies and toonies. Another, money adorned a mini Christmas tree. The Saskatchewan Joint Board, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union continues to donate $365 annual in memory of Len Wallace. This was the first year the donation from Gloria Cymbalisty wasn’t for $365. Instead, the fund received $7,500 from her estate. Thank you, Len and Gloria!

A retired nurse, who preferred to remain anonymous, made $10,000 donations to the Cheer Fund — her way of helping after years of witnessing women enter emergency wards following what she suspected was domestic abuse.

Members of the Canadian Progress Club’s “little club with big hearts” chapter regularly donated thousands of dollars in proceeds from their wreath and centrepiece sales.

Donations come in lieu of gifts, in memoriam, and to celebrate friendships. Many are anonymous.

To ALL of you, thank you!

TO DONATE

■ Contribute online at http://www.leaderpost.com/cheerfund.

■ Mail a cheque to: Regina Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund, #300 – 1964 Park Street, Regina, SK S4N 7M5. Please make cheques payable to Leader-Post Foundation — Christmas Cheer. An official donation receipt from the foundation will be emailed or mailed to you in February 2020.