The City of Weyburn and the Weyburn Credit Union are back in battle again, just in time to raise food and money donations for the Weyburn food bank. On November 16, employees of the two neighbouring businesses gathered at City Hall to rouse another challenge. The Clash at Coteau Corner, now in its second year, is essentially a contest to see which of the two organizations can attract the most donations for the Food Bank before the annual visit of CP's U.S. Holiday Train on December 17. The battle, in fact, helps the whole community enjoy the train's concert, stress-free.
"The Holiday Train is a special event that arrives in Weyburn and it's something we all enjoy," said Mayor Button during the Clash kick off. "We are just giving people another opportunity to bring their food in, so that night they don't have to worry about lugging that bag and finding the Salvation Army van. It's all done for you."
Button noted that she is concerned that the Credit Union staff agreed to the challenge again this year. She suspects they may have something up their sleeve by way of competition. The Mayor added that she is prepared to work a bit harder this year, saying that she understands what may be coming, that revenge is a dish best served cold.
"We are excited about this challenge, and looking forward to it for the second time," said Don Schumlick of the Weyburn Credit Union. "'People helping people' is what this is all about. It's a good time of year to remember how fortunate we are. We want to help stock the food bank, to make everybody's Christmas and holiday season a good one."
Schumlick then turned up the heat.
"The Mayor and the City are very tough competitors, as we found out last year," noted Schumlick. "The Mayor may seem very sweet and nice, but she is very ruthless and she really wants to win. So we're going to fight hard to win this year. If the City wants a battle, a battle they shall have. They say you can't fight City Hall, but that's just exactly what we're going to do."
Area residents interested in making a donation to the food bank can bring food items to either City Hall or the Weyburn Credit Union, or to both locations - after all, the food bank is the true winner in the end. Each of the competing organizations is able to provide tax receipts for monetary donations.
The stand-off concludes on the morning of December 17, when the items collected from both locations will be weighed and tallied for the official results prior to the arrival of the Holiday Train.
The Holiday Train is expected to roll into Weyburn at approximately 7:45 p.m. at 512 Railway Avenue.
