SHAUNAVON — Welcome2Shaunavon&area is a newly formed welcoming committee that provides local business and service information to new or recent residents in Shaunavon, Frontier, Climax and Eastend.
The committee is hosting a meet and greet open house on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 1-4 pm at the Canalta Hotel in Shaunavon. Information packages will be available at the event and can also be picked up at the town office in each of the communities involved, following that date. An online version is available on the Shaunavon Chamber of Commerce website under the ‘Welcome’ tab. (https://www.shaunavonchamber.ca/welcome)
Their goal is to provide as much information as possible to help residents settle in their new community. Committee member Brenda Waldron explains, "We are trying to create a package that is as comprehensive as possible and we want it to be user-friendly."
Invited guests will also be in attendance at the Jan. 18 meet and greet including RCMP, the volunteer fire department, the Town of Shaunavon bylaw officer and members of the Shaunavon town council. The Southwest Newcomer Centre based in Swift Current will also be in attendance to answer questions or to offer support for newcomers as they settle into their new community.
Anyone who has moved to Shaunavon, Frontier, Climax or Eastend within the past two to three years is welcome to attend to receive a free information package, enjoy coffee and cookies and enter for a variety of door prizes donated by local businesses. Waldron applauds the support of the business community, adding "I think this is critically important. The business community has been outstanding in their support and encouragement; we have business cards and/or information from more than 100 businesses."
The group is also grateful for monetary donations from The Greenslade Family, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 40 in Shaunavon and the Sogn Family Foundation. Additional donors are encouraged to contact Waldron to find out how they can support the efforts and ongoing costs of maintaining the information packages and hosting events for new residents. The committee can be contacted via email at [email protected].
The group anticipates that a meet and greet like the upcoming event on Jan. 18 will be held a couple of times each year. Social mix and mingle events at local restaurants are also being considered and they will be in attendance at farmers markets in the region throughout the summer months. The volunteer committee will create a formal board in the spring. Current volunteers include Waldron, Shaunna Grainger, Leona Brewer, Aurora Bowery and Brent Michelson.
There have been previous iterations of a Welcome Wagon and Welcome 2 Shaunavon committees in the past, with gaps in this service at times. The reformation of a welcoming committee is a welcome addition to the community right now. Waldron emphasizes the need for the group, adding, "It's exciting that people are moving here and we want to do everything we can to help them make that transition to their new community. I love our community and I'm excited about this project."
