Both the Weyburn Credit Union and Weyburn City Hall are collecting food donations for the Salvation Army for the second annual Clash of Coteau.
"Things are going really well at the Credit Union, and I know that we will beat the mayor," said Don Shumlich, CEO of the Weyburn Credit Union.
"The response from the community is as good as it can be expected, and we have added a few things to our plan of attack this year," said Debra Button, mayor of Weyburn.
"We have sent letters out to the other banks asking for them to assist City Hall, over helping the Credit Union," said Button. She also hinted at approaching donors that had supported City Hall during last year's Clash of Coteau food drive.
The City of Weyburn has food drop-off areas at City Hall and at the Weyburn Leisure Centre. For the Weyburn Credit Union, there is a table out for non-perishable food, but Shumlich noted that they are also selling 'paper food' donations.
They have paper cans for $2, paper oat bags for $5 and paper turkeys for $10. "Overall people seem to be donating to both the paper food, and non-perishable foods at our location," said Shumlich. "This is a big event for the Salvation Army, and as our table grows, it encourages others to donate as well."
All food donations must be collected before Monday, Dec. 17, when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train arrives in town.
"When the Holiday Train comes, it really does mark that the Christmas season is here," said Button. "It is a magical event that happens to our community, and I am grateful that CP continues to deliver the Holiday Train to us in the dark."
The Holiday Train also promotes the donation of non-perishable foods and funds to help support the Salvation Army. "The food bank is used on a daily basis by local people, and this is a good time to stock the shelves for them," said Button.
The Holiday Train has a musical line-up that will entertain people of all ages. Weyburn will be the last stop for the United States train, which started its journey on Nov. 27.
Tracey Brown and the Claytones will entertain on the U.S. Train to raise food, money and awareness for food banks and hunger issues.
The Holiday Train has 14 brightly decorated cars that are covered in hundreds of thousands of LED lights. Artists perform in a modified boxcar that has been turned into a travelling stage.
Holiday music from past and present Holiday Train entertainers can be downloaded from the Canadian Pacific Railway website at cpr.ca.
Tracey Brown has been actively involved with the Holiday Train program since 2004. Over her career, Brown has released more than 20 albums and is a member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Claytones are a truly collaborative project with an impressive list of individual accolades. Kelly, Adam, and Anders are currently working on their debut album, which blends their unique talents into the group signature live feel.
Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train has become an important fundraiser for many food banks. For additional information on the musicians, photos, schedules for 2012, a route map and downloadable pictures of the two trains visit: www.cpr.ca. Supporters can also join the Holiday Train on Facebook and follow on Twitter @CPHolidaytrain.
