Engaged couples looking for a venue for their weddings have a new option starting in 2021. Located just 15 minutes South of Brandon, Oakland Estate features an elegant clear top tent surrounded by beautiful oak trees. Couples and their guests will enjoy the ceremony location, pathway with bistro lights, fire pit areas around the patio and a fully furnished bridal cottage! The venue rental includes tables and chairs, wheel chair accessible washrooms, a bar, caterer tent, clear tent, ceiling drapery with beautiful chandeliers and much more! "Building a wedding venue was always a dream of mine over the past four years, ever since I became a wedding photographer. My husband and I actually started planning and looking for the perfect property in summer of 2019".---owner, Janice Charriere The venue will have a maximum capacity of 200 people. Couples will have the option to hire a caterer of their choice. The transparent tent, with a cement floor for dancing, measures 50’x80’. Take a look at their website for more information, or to inquire about a booking. www.oaklandestate.ca. Facebook link.

Sara’s Pantry has joined hands with the Glenboro UCT to bring Christmas Cheer to those in need this Christmas Season! UCT member, Charlene Claeys-Godard has been spearheading the Christmas Hamper program in Glenboro for years. With the impact COVID has had on many, she is grateful to have the support of the team behind Sara’s Pantry, Glenboro’s food security program. “It’s great to have a few more hands to help,” Said Godard. “We are very fortunate to have annual donors that give every year faithfully; this year is going to be tough for even more families, we want to be ready to meet that need.” Debbie Olsen, Co-Operating Manager at Sara’s Pantry says collection has already started. “Collection bins and donation jars have gone out today,” said Olsen. “If you are interested in donating a toy to a child, please call ACE Hardware 204-827-2334 to make arrangements over the phone; thank you so much for your support!”. Donations are being accepted at: • ACE Building Centre (204-827-2334) • D & A Foods • Glenboro Co-op • Glenboro Pharmacy • Westoba Credit Union The organizers have worked with the retailers at Glenboro Co-op and D & A Foods to put together $15.00 donation packages for purchase. “It’s like a full meal deal,” said Olsen. “The packages contain everything a small family or couple need for a healthy meal and more; the Glenboro Pharmacy is preparing similar packages containing personal hygiene items, just pick one up at the store and they will donate it to Sara’s Pantry.” Support for Sara’s Pantry has been strong with donations coming in recently from the Glenboro Ag Society, Pembina Co- op and the Glenboro Breakfast Club. Monetary donations can be made at Westoba Credit Union in Glenboro. “Our branch is proud to support Sara’s Pantry,” said Marie Bodnarchuk, Branch Manager at Westoba and Treasurer for Sara’s Pantry. “Just let any of us know you would like to donate, and we can help.” Glenboro School, middle years are collecting hygiene products. Donations can be made by the students at the school. Rimmer Technology has placed a recycle bin in front of their store to collect reusable shopping bags, plastic bags and travel size containers. Those looking to access support from Sara’s Pantry are encouraged to email saraspantry2020@gmail.com. Follow Sara’s Pantry on Facebook at @sarapantry2020. (summitted)

Brandon, Manitoba – Sunrise Credit Union awarded $1,400 to youth in Western Manitoba through its Financial Literacy Month contest in November. The contest saw youth across Sunrise Credit Union communities complete activity sheets to learn more about Borrowing Money, Making Money, Saving Money and Spending Money. Sheets returned to Sunrise Credit Union were entered into the contest, and 14 branches gave away a $100 deposit into a HeadStart Plan 24 account to one winner from their community. Sunrise Credit Union’s HeadStart Plan 24 account is specifically designed as a ‘first’ account for ages 0-18. It is an excellent way for young members to start saving while learning the ins and outs of depositing and withdrawing money, collecting interest, and saving for the future. The winners in Sunrise Credit Union’s 2020 Financial Literacy Month contest were: Damiano – Baldur Quinn – Brandon Cohen – Cypress River Audrey – Deloraine Dominik – Grandview Maisie - Hartney Kyle – Holland Ethan – Laurier Carly – Minnedosa Austin – Oakburn Sophia – Reston Claire – Shoal Lake Ayva – Ste. Rose du Lac Peyton - Strathclair Sunrise Credit Union is committed to educating the public to help individuals become self-sufficient to achieve financial stability. Providing these skills can help a person develop an economic ‘road map’ to identify what they earn, what they spend and what they owe. 2020 marked the tenth year of Financial Literacy Month. (submitted)

his year Ten Thousand Villageson Rosser Avenue marksthirtyyears as an independent businessin Downtown Brandon. Ten Thousand Villages is more than a non-profit, volunteer run, fair trade organization selling crafts and consumables from around the World. Ten Thousand Villages buildslong-term relationships with artisans and small-scale farmers who receive a fair income, empowering themto provide a better future for their familiesand their communities. Meeghan Gavin, manager, states that “Ten Thousand Villages works with artisanswho would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed, providing sustainable income through Fair Trade. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing.” In 1990 a small group of volunteers moved the Self-Help Crafts (Ten Thousand Villages’ predecessor) from the MCC Thrift Store on Pacific Avenue to Rosser Avenue. The name of the organization changed -in 1996, Self Help Crafts of the World and became Ten Thousand Villages -but the mission remained the same. In early 2020 Ten ThousandVillages Canada announced the closure of its head office and distribution centre. Ten Thousand Villages Brandon is among four stores from across Canada that decided to remain open as an independent locally run fair trade store. Ten Thousand Villages continues to be a volunteer-based organization; some of the 15+ regular volunteers at Ten Thousand Villages have been volunteering with the organization for decades. Though the volunteers’ personal reasons for sharing their time may vary, they are all concerned about positively impacting the lives of artisans and farmers in developing countries through fair trade. This year’s anniversary celebration will be different than in past years. Since no gatherings are currently allowed, the store will be holding a social media contest to celebrate its 30 year anniversary, with 3 prizes of ten bags of fair trade coffee for the lucky winners!

HAMIOTA – Fusion Credit Union has once again been named a Top Manitoba Employer and Darwin Johns, Chief Executive Officer, couldn't be more proud. “This year has been challenging,” says Johns, "but the care and commitment our team continues to show for the community and each other carries us through.” A full-service financial institution with a staff of 190, Fusion serves more than 32,000 members through 18 branches across communities in Parkland and southwestern Manitoba. Administering assets of more than $1.2 billion, Fusion has the capacity, the shared commitment and the opportunity to support growth and prosperity, locally and beyond. "Employee and community wellness are at the forefront of what we do," added Johns. "This year, wemade a conscious effort at the Board and leadership level to practice that." Recently, Fusion installed massage chairs or nap pods in every branch as the result of an "Innovation Den" project, similar to Dragon's Den, where teams of Managers presented their innovative ideas to the Executive. From a whole range of great ideas, wellness spaces met all the criteria they were looking for. A nap pod was also provided to Brandon University as part of their community engagement commitment. "Installing these nap pods and chairs was founded on statistics that showed a 20-minute nap improved employee well-being and job performance," says Guy Huberdeau, Fusion Credit Union's Board Chair. The credit union considers itself an “idea place” and encourages staff to develop creative ideas about how the organization can strengthen its commitment to innovation and service excellence. “We’re a company that practices innovation," says Johns. “We value new ideas from employees at every level of the organization.” Owned by its members, governed by a board of directors, and staffed by area residents, Fusion continues to be one of the most active supporters of community organizations and events in the region. The credit union is a major sponsor of Credit Union Place and Countryfest in Dauphin, as well as the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon. Fusion employees receive competitive salaries and company benefits, including training allowances, education funding and many other professional development opportunities. "We also launched an employee recognition program this year," added Johns. "We are committed to showing our staff and members that Fusion is a work environment that celebrates and supports community.” Fusion continues to succeed by staying true to its vision, mission and values and by ensuring that the best interests of its members are always an organizational priority. The organization recognizes the value of outstanding member service delivered by a team of staff members who share Fusion’s values and take pride in their work and their communities. “We have outstanding, talented employees who care about each other and the work we do for our members and communities, which is what makes Fusion such a fantastic organization to build a career and do business with” says Johns. For information about career opportunities with Fusion Credit Union, visit fusioncu.com/careers. (Submitted)