The Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop reached the halfway point in their goal to raise $80,000 towards the purchase of a new van for their clients, with a successful two-night supper fundraiser.
The Wor-Kin Shop held a pasta night over two nights at Boston Pizza, on Nov. 28-29, and with ticket sales, silent auction items and cash donations, a total of $7,700 was raised.
In addition, the Wor-Kin Shop has been selling tickets for a holiday cheer raffle, and the draw will be made on Friday, Dec. 14. Tickets are still available for the prize of a $500 liquor basket, and cost $10 each or four for $20.
The Wor-Kin Shop’s day program for adults with intellectual disabilities serves about 40 individuals currently, with another 25 who will require services in the next three years.
They transport their clients to and from their homes and to their programs in the city, as well as to events in other communities, such as in Redvers, Moose Jaw or Regina.
The van they are currently using is a 2001 model with a wheelchair lift, and it has over 180,000 km. The van is considered no longer safe, reliable or comfortable, and it’s no longer financially feasible for the Wor-Kin Shop to continue operating it.
The Wor-Kin Shop is a non-profit registered charitable organization that is funded by the Ministry of Social Services to provide the day program, but the ministry is not funding the replacement of the van.
Now that they have reached the halfway point to their fundraising goal, they will be able to approach the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation for funding of up to $20,000, and are asking for the support of the community to raise the remainder of the needed funds.
