BRANDON: Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba is asking the public to help Westman children in need during the 2017 holiday season. “Many children will be without a gift at all this year unless we can all open our hearts and wallets to help,” said Susan Cable, Community Education Coordinator. “We know that in the past the Brandon and Westman communities have been very generous in donating gifts for us to give to these kids. “Our hope is that we can count on the public again to come through for us.” CFS Western is very grateful to Brandon and Westman shoppers for their many years of past support. This year, new unwrapped gifts for boys and girls aged newborn to 17 can be dropped off for the Gift Tree at the front reception desks at: 800 McTavish Avenue, Brandon, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, 255 -9th Street, Brandon, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Both locations will accept gift donations until 4:30 pm, Friday, December 15. “This is a chance for people to really show their spirit of giving for a child who may otherwise not receive a Christmas gift at all this year,” said Cable, “and to help others and bring families in need priceless smiles and laughter. “What a wonderful way to truly show the real magic of the season to children less fortunate!”

In July, Jenn Shields from Shields Group with Royal LePage Martin-Liberty, embarked on a 115 km trek across Iceland’s Southern Highlands. On this journey she joined over 80 Royal LePage agents from across Canada in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. It was a challenging 5 day trek through rugged terrain in extremely remote parts of the country. They saw all kind of weather including snow, rain and high winds. The purpose of this challenge was to raise money and awareness for women and children affected by domestic violence. Through donations and fundraising events she was able to raise over $10,000, which contributed to the $655,000 raised by the group of trekkers. $8220 of the funds went to support the local YWCA Westman Womens Shelter. These much needed dollars will help support the operational costs of the Shelter, specifically helping to fund children’s programs necessary to help prevent the continuation of the cycle of domestic violence. The remainder will be combined with 20% of all funds raised to support domestic violence initiatives across Canada. Every dollar raised in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation goes directly to helping those affected by domestic violence.

Until December 21st, veterinary clinics across Manitoba will be collecting and delivering pet food to those in need. Participating clinics will support families, shelters, rescues and local food banks throughout the province with the donations. All participating clinics and the recipients of the donations are listed on the MVMA website at: https://www.mvma.ca/animal-owners/pet-food-drive-season-fur-everyone. We are inviting Manitobans to help this cause by dropping off unopened tins or bags of cat and dog food at participating veterinary clinics. Cash donations are gratefully accepted as well. Help us light up this holiday season for those less fortunate by making your donation before December 21st . This Season is FUR Everyone FAQ! 1) Why the program is needed? This time of year can be stressful, especially for families struggling with limited resources. Sometimes, something as simple as a gift for a child can push a family into financial distress, which may translate into less food for themselves and their pets. The burden can even force some people with restricted or fixed incomes to give up their much-loved pets to animal shelters at this time of year. We believe these pets deserve loving homes with their families and full food bowls. 2) What is the typical situation of a family in need with a pet? We don’t know that there is a ‘typical’ situation. In practice, we see families who are stressed financially, especially at this time of the year, for many reasons. Sometimes there is a temporary loss of income because of illness or disability, or the main income earner in the family is out of work. Sometimes it’s an elderly person on a fixed income. We often see people who choose to do without in order to care for their animals. 3) What should be said to cynics saying the poor shouldn't have pets? Pets have value for all of us, and improve the quality of life for their owners, regardless of income. And, it’s good to remember that life can throw curveballs to us all. Veterinary professionals would much rather support a family going through a difficult time by helping them provide basic needs to their pets than see those animals set loose, relinquished to an animal shelter or euthanized. Some days the unconditional love and acceptance of a furry friend may be the best part of someone’s life, and the MVMA wants to nurture that relationship. 4) What happens if help isn't offered to families with pets? We know that in times of long-term financial stress, pets are often relinquished for adoption or are abandoned or euthanized. The holidays are typically an expensive time of year. The MVMA and its members hope this program will help keep animals in loving homes while bridging families through financially difficult times. 5) How can the public help? Anyone can help by dropping off food to participating veterinary clinics throughout Manitoba and encouraging friends and family to support the program. We ask that the food be fresh and unopened and cash donations are gratefully accepted as well. 6) What are the drop off locations and what is the deadline for donations? Visit www.mvma.ca/animal-owners/pet-food-drive-season-fur-everyone to see a listing of participating clinics with their addresses and hours of operation. The deadline for donations is December 21, 2017.

Brandon, MB – The City of Brandon’s Community Services Department wishes to advise the public that Hanbury Hill and Brandon’s numerous other sledding hills are open for public use this winter season. Located just off Braecrest Drive in Sir Winston Churchill Park, Hanbury Hill is a toboggan hill that all ages can enjoy. Hanbury Hill’s warm-up gazebo is now open from the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., while decorative lighting and flood lighting is turned on each evening from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the duration of the season. Other toboggan hills available for public use include ones in Rideau Park and at the Wheat City Golf Course, while smaller sliding hills include the 34th Street & Cherry Crescent Sliding Hill and the Parkdale Park Sliding Hill. Families are encouraged to enjoy these free winter recreation offerings; however, the City of Brandon would note that all are unsupervised areas. Work by Community Services staff to prepare Brandon’s popular outdoor skating oval along McGregor Avenue will begin once winter temperatures become more consistent, with the department working towards a tentative opening date for the week prior to Christmas. Meanwhile, more snow cover will be needed for crews to begin tracking the cross-country ski trails at the Wheat City Golf Course. For more information on public winter activities provided by the City of Brandon’s Community Services Department, call 204-729-2148.

BDNMB.CA has always been a firm believer in local business and as well up and coming youth entrepreneurs.  Kennedy Baker (18 years old) of Neepawa checks all those boxes for us. Currently, in ACC taking interactive media arts, she has long dreamed of designing logos, posters and now shoes of all things. Kennedy got her inspiration simply from seeing a pair of shoes online that she wanted, however, they were not for sale so she decided to make her own.  On average it will take 3 – 4 days to design and paint the shoes. One of her main orders is with True North Entertainment owners of the Winnipeg Jets who have ordered 12 pairs of custom shoes that are available at the Bell MTS Centre location. Right now the future for Kennedy is to finish school and become a digital design artist. Jodi Venables Baker. her mother, couldn’t be happier “we encourage her as long as she has fun and I always believe do what you love.” Contact and order your shoes by emailing xk10designs@gmail.com or Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/xk10designs On average custom shoes will cost you $69.00 per pair.