PREECEVILLE — MacKenzie Society Ventures Inc. invited family, friends and community members to join them for a pulled pork lunch and cake in celebration of the organization's 50th anniversary on June 11.
Preeceville Mayor Darin Newton brought greetings on behalf of the town.
“It is an honour to be here to help celebrate a remarkable milestone,” said Newton. “Fifty years ago, this organization began with a simple yet powerful mission: to support, empower, and create opportunities for people with disabilities. MacKenzie Society still believes in these goals by providing support and promoting individuality, personal growth, and inclusion for all persons to empower them to be valued, contributing members of the community,” he said.
Sean Wilson, MLA for Canora–Pelly, also brought greetings on behalf of the government.
“When Don and Heather Ostapak started this program in 1974, they wanted to provide a great life for their child. Now, 50 years later, their program started for a few has assisted hundreds of adults to gain their independence and have careers of their own,” said Wilson.
Some of the MacKenzie clients were joined by the Preeceville School kindergarten class in performing a song. The clients had worked with the kindergarten and Grade 8 classes throughout the year on various fun projects.
Kayla Blotski, executive director, and Kim Sandager, board chairperson, also spoke briefly on some of the organization's past accomplishments.
Blotski and Lecia Chalupiak shared the duties of mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon. They welcomed everyone in attendance and shared some background history.
The MacKenzie Society for the Advancement of Children Inc. was the brainchild of Don and Heather Ostapak. As parents needing services for a handicapped child, they met with other parents with similar needs and, in 1974, formed a board with Mr. Ostapak elected as the first chairman. These parents then proceeded to lobby government agencies for funds to establish and operate a developmental centre. With help from the ministries of Social Services and Education, two community developmental centres were established — with two children attending the Preeceville centre and four attending the Norquay centre.
In Norquay, a classroom was renovated by the Norquay Kinsmen. The Preeceville centre began operating in the basement of the Lutheran church. In 1981, the centres were amalgamated at Preeceville, with the majority of Norquay students moving on to new programs. In 1985, the Preeceville Developmental Centre moved into a school classroom and was administered by the Sturgis School Division with parent input. The MacKenzie Society for the Advancement of Children also ran a summer program for eight weeks while the school was closed.
The summer program included recreational activities as well as programming. It was funded through fundraising and private donations. In 1982, the MacKenzie Society recognized that too many handicapped young people were leaving the area for further training or receiving none at all. A needs identification survey was conducted, and approximately 104 adults were identified as needing some type of service.
A brief proposal was then submitted to the government requesting an activity centre, workshop and supporting group homes. Funding of $126,500 was received from Social Services, $87,500 from the Kinsmen Foundation (which also provided $10,200 for furniture and equipment), $40,333 from the Preeceville and District Lions Club, and approximately $50,000 through fundraising activities and donations — making it possible to build and furnish the MacKenzie Training Centre.
The training centre opened its doors on May 1, 1986. Ostapak House, named after the founder and first chairman of the MacKenzie Society, was purchased in August and opened Sept. 11, 1986. The group home is funded by the provincial government, and the rate is determined by the number of clients living in the home.
The Kinsmen Foundation provided $6,000 for furniture and equipment, and local fundraising and donations covered the remainder of the required funds. Anaka House, named after Harry Anaka — a man who dedicated many years of hard work to the society — opened in February 1988. A place was rented until the new 2,800-square-foot building, which houses eight people on the main level, was completed. The Kinsmen Foundation contributed $7,300 for furnishings and equipment, and local fundraising appeals provided the remaining start-up funds. Anaka House is funded through the provincial government, public trustee and various other channels. The new Anaka House group home officially opened in June 1988. A Supportive Independent Living Program was launched in December 1988, and an Activity Day program began in July 1989.
In the fall of 1990, a 30-by-40-foot extention was added to the workshop to house the woodworking and painting programs. This addition was funded through profits from the SARC/SARCAN recycling program. In November 1991, construction began on a replacement group home for Ostapak House with funds from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. The 2,740-square-foot home houses six adults in fully wheelchair-accessible accommodations on the ground level. Furnishings were provided by the Preeceville Lions Club using funds raised during the Carnival Queen Contest. MacKenzie Society participated in the effort by sponsoring one of the residents, Brenda Radawetz, as a queen contestant — helping raise $10,000 of the $15,000 total contributed by the Lions Club.
This new home, known as Preece Place, was officially opened Aug. 28, 1992. On June 4, 1992, by vote of the general membership, the name of the organization was changed to MacKenzie Society Ventures Inc. to project a more business-like image.
In November 2001, a third group home opened at 223 Fourth Street N.E. in Preeceville. The Preeceville Lions Club contributed funds to furnish the bedrooms of the home. Two residents currently live there.
In August 2008, a fourth group home opened at 302 2nd Street N. in Preeceville. This is a three-space home. In December 2009, the society expanded services to Canora by opening a fifth group home at 1110 Main Street. This is also a three-space home.
To conclude the event, an anniversary cake was served.
