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Last act of Blackfalds United Church congregation is a selfless one

Published

4 years ago

4 minute read

 

From the Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Alberta church closes doors, shares last of funds to help end world hunger – Donates $25,000 to support work of Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Blackfalds United Church in central Alberta may have closed its doors, but the congregation’s hearts remain wide open. After selling the building that served as a place of worship for more than a century, the church gave the last of its funds to other local churches and several charities, including $25,000 to the Central Alberta growing project.

Through the growing project, a group of farmers volunteer their time to grow and harvest a crop, and then sell it on the Canadian market. Proceeds are donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank to be used in the work of responding to world hunger.

“We know the money goes to a great cause,” says Maurice Defoe, the church’s trustee. “The Foodgrains Bank does a lot of good for people around the world, and we are very happy to provide this support.”

A staple in the community, Blackfalds United Church provided a place for many suppers, funerals, weddings and health immunization clinics. Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, dance troupes and other groups also used the space for meetings and community events. Closing the doors of the church was not a decision anyone took lightly.

“With great misgivings and sadness, and with many impacting factors, the decision to close was made in early 2018, and the building was sold just over one year later,” says Defoe. But the selling of the church would not be the congregation’s swan song.

“Maurice Defoe asked me to meet him at Tim Hortons in Blackfalds,” says Doug Maas of the Central Alberta growing project. “I didn’t really know what it was about, and that’s when he showed me the check. I couldn’t believe how big the amount was.”

The Central Alberta growing project started in 1996, when a group of passionate farmers decided to grow food to help those facing hunger overseas. Today, the committee has nine members. Since it started, the project has raised $1.3 million dollars for families in need, before any government matching is considered. And they aren’t finished yet.

Next year the project celebrates its 25th anniversary. Plans for the milestone were nearly derailed with the challenge of finding land this year. But once again, they found support in the community when a Lacombe County farmer made 70 acres of his recently purchased parcel available.

“Thank you to all the people in the community who support this project, our farmers, our partners, and also city churches who sponsor acres from afar,” says Maas. “And thank you so much to Blackfalds United Church for your generous gift.”

Maas says the money will help purchase fertilizer, and if donated land is ever hard to come by, can be used to rent land so the project can continue without worry.

“We’ve always had strong support from the churches, because they believe in the work of the Foodgrains Bank and know they’re careful with how the money is used” says Maas. “I do a lot of volunteer work, and this organization stands out because it has a large volunteer base, admin costs are low, and the food gets to the people who need it. The Foodgrains Bank has a special place in my heart, and I know I’m not alone.”

– Jason Permanand, Content Writer

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After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Blackfalds

New Catholic Elementary School for Blackfalds

Published on March 7, 2024

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News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

RDCRS receives full construction funding for new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds

On Monday, March 4, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) received full construction funding from the Government of Alberta to construct a new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds.

“The full construction funding for the new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the vibrant growing community of Blackfalds marks a significant milestone in our government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education infrastructure for our communities. This investment illustrates our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have access to modern, innovative learning environments,” stated MLA for Red Deer North and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

RDCRS appreciates the construction funding provided by the Government of Alberta. Over the past several years, Blackfalds has seen tremendous growth. RDCRS’ current Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 school located in Blackfalds, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, has grown by 64% since its establishment in 2017.

“We are very pleased to receive full construction funding for a new Catholic elementary school in Blackfalds. The funding will allow the division an opportunity to build a much needed new school and meet the learning needs of our Blackfalds students,” said Board Chair Murray Hollman at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

The schematic design for the new school has progressed smoothly since RDCRS received design funding from the Government of Alberta in March 2023. The plans look excellent and work is ongoing between Alberta Infrastructure and the Town of Blackfalds to ensure the steps to secure the land in the new development are completed. The land needs to be ready for construction according to the timelines and criteria established in the P3 project.

“We are pleased that the progress achieved thus far has demonstrated the collaborative efforts necessary to warrant this full funding announcement, “ added Board Chair Hollman.

The new school is expected to be ready for occupancy in September 2027.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,650 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 850 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.

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Blackfalds

Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club announces finalized agreement to join the BC Hockey League effective immediately

Published on February 1, 2024

By

News release from the Blackfalds Bulldogs

The Blackfalds Bulldogs have announced a finalized franchise agreement with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and are official members of the league, effective immediately. 

Prior to this agreement, the Blackfalds Bulldogs had agreed to terms on a framework of what joining the BCHL would look like. 

Along with the Blackfalds Bulldogs, the Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints will also join the BCHL starting this season. 

“The Blackfalds Bulldogs are thrilled to express our excitement to be joining the BCHL. The BCHL’s dedication and efforts in expediting this process in light of the AJHL decisions have not gone unnoticed and we are sincerely grateful for the commitment they have shown to ensure all our players have the opportunity to complete this season with competitive hockey. This swift transition in light of the AJHL’s decisions is a testament to the BCHL’s professionalism and passion for the sport. We eagerly anticipate the journey ahead and look forward to contributing our Bulldog Best to the vibrant hockey community that the BCHL represents,” said Doug Quinn, Owner of the Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club.  

“We are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,” said Graham Fraser, Chairman of the BCHL Board of Governors. “All five are strong organizations from great communities and we look forward to the immediate boost they will give our league.” 

Due to the Alberta Junior Hockey League cancelling league games for the 2023-24 regular season, the five teams will engage in competition with each other as BCHL teams for the remainder of the season and will eventually crown an Alberta champion. Following the conclusion of the BCHL Playoffs, there will be an opportunity for the champion from Alberta to meet the champion from B.C. in a year-end competition. 

“With the unfortunate situation the Alberta teams have faced in recent weeks with having games cancelled in their previous league, it was imperative to us to get these players back on the ice in meaningful competition,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker. “This five-team schedule and postseason will give these athletes the chance to get in a full set of games for the remainder of the year, which is the most important thing to us.” 

The schedule for the Alberta teams starts tomorrow and can be viewed here.

Details for the post-season competition will be announced at a later date. 

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this decision, visit our FAQ page here.

About the BCHL: 

Sending more players on to Division I college hockey every season than any other hockey league in Canada, the BCHL has established itself as a national leader in the development of young student athletes. Considering approximately a third of today’s NHL is made up of NCAA alumni, the BCHL has become a breeding ground for some the sport’s most elite and successful players. In 2022-23 alone, there were a league-record 190 players in the league with NCAA Division I scholarships. The BCHL is also a leader in player safety, with a full-time Department of Player Safety, the toughest rules on fighting in North American junior hockey, as well as a league-wide independent Safe Sport Officer and an individual Athlete Advocate assigned to all 17 teams.  

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