Celebrating the arrival of 2017 at the New Year’s Eve Benefit Dance at the St. Paul Rec. Centre was “amazing,” according to Melanie Ference, whose family was one of 2016’s benefit families. She added that it was “simply amazing” to feel the support of the community and attend the event to celebrate the New Year.
For the Ference family, the previous year was a “nightmare” after their young son Konnor, born in February, was diagnosed with acid reflux, requiring 17 trips to hospitals in Edmonton. The family became all too familiar with the trip to the Stollery Children’s Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
“We just wanted our son to be healthy, but we were thrown a few curve balls,” she recalled, explaining that their second son Karter, now two years old, required an operation in the past, so the family had hoped their third son would be healthy.
Konnor has been on medication since he was about three weeks old, delivered by syringe twice per day. The acid reflux has resulted in low blood iron levels, which, in turn impacts his bone marrow and liver, so Konnor also takes iron supplements. He has also gone through sleep studies that indicate his oxygen levels are very low, and doctors are trying to figure out the reason.
More recently, in December the family found out that Konnor has a heart murmur and is being referred to a cardiologist at the Stollery, which means the family already has more medical appointments booked for the New Year.
The funds donated to the family from the St. Paul & Community Family Benefit Society will go to help cover the cost of travelling to the city, hotel bills when they have to stay overnight in Edmonton, meals, and the cost of medicine for Konnor.
“It definitely helps,” to have financial support from the St. Paul Community Family Benefit, said Melanie.
Cymber Ann Poulin, a former benefit recipient from 2009, also attended the 2016/17 New Year’s Eve Benefit because “it’s fun,” and offers an opportunity to pay it forward.
“I always get a ticket, and go whenever I can because it’s a way I can give back.” She still recalls how good it felt to have the community support when going through a difficult time. Her wish for the 2017/18 event is for more people to come out and enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebration.
The St. Paul & Community Family Benefit helped five families this year, said Lynda Munro, media coordinator for the group. Other families receiving benefits this year are Katie Lysy and Lucas Harris and family; Marilee and Tim Lucksinger and family; Dawn and Jason Domotor and family; and Christine Farkas and family.
Munro is new to the board this year. She said she likes volunteering for the group because all of the donations stay local.
“It’s helping your neighbour,” she explained. As a single paren, she has been on the “receiving end of generosity” and also wants to pay it forward with her time.
“Volunteering is a great way to contribute,” she said, adding that the benefit group is always in need of volunteers. They need volunteers during the year to work as bartenders at social events, or to flip burgers at community barbecues. The committee members volunteer their time to “work” as bartenders and caterers to raise money to host the New Year’s Eve part, so all of the funds raised at the event go directly to supporting families.
All of the money raised from the evening, including ticket sales and silent auction funds, go to help families struggling with a tragedy or sudden illness.
The St. Paul & Community Family Benefit accepts nominations year-round and now gives donations throughout the year, when the funds are needed most.
