Submitted by the New Horizons Senior Citizens of Yorkton Club
Do not let the words "Senior Citizens" mislead you. New Horizons is a non-profit, charitable organization open to all over the age of 18 for an annual membership of $5.00. However, the Bylaws only allow those members over the age of 50 voting rights or to serve on the Board.
In the late sixties SIGN assisted in the formation of a group for seniors and it has evolved to New Horizons. The group purchased Coronation Hall, from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in 1978 for $65,000.00 by a mortgage and the kindness of the late George and Helen Morris. Mr. and Mrs. Morris loaned the group $25,000.00 for the down payment. This loan was to be repaid, without interest, whenever the group could do so. Both the loan and the mortgage were paid off in two years. Mr. and Mrs. Morris also paid, as a charitable donation, the property taxes for several years and made many other contributions.
New Horizon members have been active supporters of many community activities such as sessions on 'Elder Abuse', 'Phone and Fraud Scams', 'Drive Alive 55+' to name a few and have volunteered for numerous activities in the City, including the Yorkton Film Festival, the Campground Tourist Coffee Program, and have provided a safe place for recreational activities for the youth from the Saskatchewan Abilities Council.
There are daily activities in the hall. A major one being the Friday night dances with live music. These dances are open to all ages and run from 8:00 p.m. to midnight with lunch, for $7.00.
We wish to expand on our activities and programs for all the citizens of Yorkton, whether a senior, a youth or in between, but we need your help and support in order to do so. Unfortunately, the premises is in need of some repair and upgrades. A good deal has been done in the past two years through fund raising and grants from the Federal Government, the Painted Hand Community Development Corp. and the Yorkton Lions Club.
This has resulted in repairs to the front steps, new carpeting and paneling in some areas, roof and foundation repairs, improvements to ground drainage, installation of three new energy efficient furnaces and an energy efficient water heater, conversion of a washroom for wheel chair accessibility, and the purchase of a StairTrak Master to take those in wheelchairs up and down. New front doors will be installed shortly. We are very appreciative of the support we have had from these grantors.
There is still much to do. Needed are electrical upgrades, refurbishing and painting of the exterior stucco, refinishing of the maple hardwood floor, insulation in areas of the lower level and upgrades to the kitchen. We hope to be able to most of this during the summer and have been obtaining quotations
for the work from various companies and trades people and are having to shortly decide and retain them. Once this work is completed, the Hall should be good for many years and future generations.
From the various quotations we have received the costs, for the forgoing, would appear to be approximately $40,000.00, as follows:
Exterior stucco and painting: $10,900.00
Electrical Upgrades: $6,950.00
Floor refinishing: $9,800.00
Kitchen upgrades/insulation: $12,350.00
We have approximately 25 per cent of the amount needed and now need your help to move forward. Every donation is income tax deductible as a charitable one and all donations over $10.00 will be acknowledged as follows:
$10.00 or more, a charitable receipt.
$25.00 or more, as above plus recognition by way of a "Thank You" in the local papers. $50.00 or more, as above plus reception later in the year to honour all those donors.
$100.00 or more, as above plus recognition on our 'Wall of Honour'.
Please support and assist us in this endeavour and forward your donation by April 30, 2013 so that we may get an early start on the work that needs to be done. Please make all cheques payable to 'New Horizons Senior Citizens of Yorkton Inc.' and note on them: 'Charitable Donation - Building Fund'.
You can further assist us by circulating this letter throughout your office, business or club and amongst your family and friends and encourage them to participate. Take out a membership and encourage others to do the same. Take in a dance on Friday night and bring a group. Participate.
For more information, or any questions you might have, please contact either of the co-chairs for this project: Garry Kaschl @ 306-783-8838 or Arliss Dellow @ 306-783-3447.
For memberships, contact Verna Dobko @ 306-782-6134.
We look forward to your participation and support.
