Archive | July, 2012

Urgent Summer Needs for The Shelters

Donate, Emergency Shelter, Homelessness, Housing Plus, Poverty

Red boxer briefs. These are the kind of things we need.When men and women come into either the men’s emergency shelter or women’s emergency shelter, they are often in the need of clothing and hygiene products like soap, deodorant, underwear and socks.   While we get in a lot of clothes donations, we generally don’t receive underwear and sock donations (for the obvious reason that people toss them out when they wear out)

New underwear and hygiene products that make a big difference in how people see themselves and makes a difference as people take the steps to find employment, safe housing, and start to put their lives back together.  When you only have the pair that you are wearing because you have lived on the streets or are fleeing domestic violence, your need is real and immediate.

While you are out and about this summer, we have men and women that would really appreciate it if you tossed a pack of underwear, socks, or some hygiene products (for men and women) into your cart and dropped them off at The Lighthouse.  We give them out free of charge to those that need them.  You have no idea what a big difference a small purchase like this can mean.

The Lighthouse is staffed 24/7 and so anytime that works for you to drop off some donations, it works for us.   More importantly, helps out a lot of people this summer.

P.S.

While our demand for hygiene products seems to peak over the summer, our need for socks goes way up once the summer turns to fall and there is moisture on the ground.  With many of our clients diabetics, it is really important that they have good foot health.  So even if we have a mountain of socks, they all get used in the cold weather months.   Any new socks that you can bring in at anytime makes  a big difference to our clients, now and in the wet and cold months to come.

Smoke Free

Empire Tower, Life at The Lighthouse

No Smoking Starting September 1, 2012

The Lighthouse is going no-smoking on September 1st, 2012 out of respect for the non-smoking residents, guests, staff and professionals that are in and out of our building daily.  For residents that do smoke, there is a bench out front and a gorgeous deck that links the two buildings.  In the winter we will be providing a place for smokers to stay out of the wind and cold.  We know it’s a big shift but we are looking forward to working together to make The Lighthouse a safe and pleasant place for all of our residents.

Golfing at Crickle Creek

Life at The Lighthouse, Programs

On Friday (for Friday Funday), staff and the residents of The Lighthouse went out to Crickle Creek Fun Zone where we went to the Pitch & Putt for a game of golf.

A view of Crickle Creek Pitch and Putt
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Staff and residents had a lot of fun, even if we aren’t exactly ready for the Open Championship.

Thanks to Crickle Creek for having us out there.  We can’t wait to come back.  Here are the photos for the day.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Helping the Homeless Avoid the Heat in Saskatoon

Donate, Emergency Shelter, Homelessness, Life at The Lighthouse, Lighthouse in the News, Media

As Rawlco Radio reports

Beating the heat in Saskatoon

For the people staying in the Lighthouse Supported Living shelters it is often their first time with air conditioning.

Lighthouse representative DeeAnn Mercier said that they are truly appreciative.

“They are really thankful. We actually see them less because they are staying up in their air-conditioned room,” she said.

The clients still have to walk to appointments with doctors, social workers, and employers in the heat. Mercier said that can cause a danger.

“We are just trying to keep everyone hydrated,” she said.

“We are encouraging our staff to keep an eye on everybody, so that if we notice if anyone is looking like they are having heatstroke or sunstroke we can encourage them to lie down, drink some water, and stay hydrated.”

Mercier also encourages people to consider donating water to any of the shelters in the city.

“We can hand them out for people to carry with them … any of the shelters in town would really appreciate bottled water,” she said.

If you have bottled water, drop it off anytime at 304 2nd Avenue South.

Host Your Own Summertime Event for The Lighthouse

Donate, Events, Ideas, Life at The Lighthouse

Host an event for The Lighthouse

There is a lot of great stuff to do this summer.  I don’t know about you but my summer involves trips out to the cabin, taking in the SaskTel Jazz Festival, walking Broadway during the PotashCorp Fringe Festival, taking the boys to the Ex, and being upset that I am on a diet while we go as a family to Taste of Saskatchewan.  

It easy to forget that we even during our summer of festivals, there is a lot of poverty in our midst. Donations to The Lighthouse drop over the summer months, while the need is often higher.  On Monday our women’s emergency shelterbroke new records for need and the we are seeing more people come in hungry and without shelter.  Saskatoon has the capacity to make this summer a summer of fresh starts for those in need but we need your help.

During a summer of good times with friends and need in our city, please consider combining the two and host an event for The Lighthouse.

Whether you are holding a backyard BBQ, a steak night, or casual golf tournament with friends, we want to partner with you to make it a success. We appreciate your efforts and want to provide as much support as we can to ensure that your event is the best it can be.

If you are holding an event and you simply want to donate proceeds to The Lighthouse Supported Living, feel free to do so. This form is especially for groups or individuals wishing to officially be registered and recognized as a third party event for The Lighthouse. Third Party Events are special fundraising events which are planned, implemented and financed by individuals or organizations outside of The Lighthouse. As a third party event, you are eligible to receive The Lighthouse support and a Lighthouse presence at the event and cross-promotion.

As a registered Lighthouse third party event, here are some ways we can support you:

  • Promoting your event on Facebook, Twitter, Upcoming, and on the website
  • Sending a The Lighthouse representative, when requested and available
  • Providing to the host group charitable receipts for approved donations
  • Provide copies of The Lighthouse promotional material for participants

For more information or to apply to host an event in support of The Lighthouse download our Third Party Event Information Package and Application

Send your completed applications to:

Phone: 306.664.4663
Fax: 306.665.7770
Email: deeann.mercier@lighthousesaskatoon.org