There doesn’t seem to be a limit on how a community can come together to help one another.

Another volunteer group that sprang up as a result of the town of Gravelbourg declaring the Emergency Measures Act is the Community Relief Fund Auction.

One of the local physicians, Dr. Ramlakhan saw a need to establish a community fund that would assist the local food bank and create a medication bank.

The organizer of the Community Relief Fund, Cassi Tremblett explains,

“We created the Gravelbourg Relief Fund and all the donations that are being raised are going towards the local food bank (Gravelbourg & District Food Bank). What we have also set up is a fund within that food bank fund that is specifically for medication.  We have people who are not working, and they don't have a lot of money coming in and some people do take a lot of prescriptions such as myself who is a type one diabetic.”

She states that the volunteer group wants to ensure everybody can cope with the pandemic and to focus on staying healthy and not adding additional stress about lacking essential needs.

The live auction will take place on April 19 on Facebook from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Tremblett adds,

“We've had lots of people donating items. We have some high-ticket items people have donated that I think are amazing that will probably bring in some money. On top of that, we are also asking businesses for monetary donations which has been well received”

Tremblett shares that her ideal goal would be to raise five thousand dollars for the area but will be very grateful for whatever amount is raised.

The group has yet to decide if it will host another auction down the road. It will be a wait and see situation depending on the supply and demand.

Tremblett decided to volunteer sharing,

“Why I got involved is because I am severely immune-compromised and so I don't get to leave my house at all. I see people in our community volunteering for other things like taking groceries to people or picking up things from the pharmacy and I wanted to do that too, but because being so immune-compromised, I can't risk the contact. This is my way to contribute.”

She adds that Gravelbourg, in her experience has been a very generous community both in cooperation, unity, and spirt and would like to sincerely thank everyone for doing their part to helps those less fortunate.

As mentioned earlier, the Gravelbourg and District Food Bank is also playing a key role in the Community Relief Fund Auction, as the organization will be distributing the funds to those in need.

Sheryl Cooper, Coordinator of the area food bank explains her role,

“I said if you want to just put it (donations) under one account, we can do that. We've asked the public as they donate, if they chose to donate, that they mark on their envelopes or when they phone in to donate money, to tell us whether they want the donation for the food bank or the medication fund.”

The advantage of working with the food bank is that there is an established system in place and those who use the food bank are comfortable with the process, so adding another service only makes sense.

Cooper explains that accessing the services whether it is for food or medication, is only a phone call away.  She adds,

“If you need it, give us a call and we trust that people that need it phone, we don't judge or question them.  If they are phoning, they need it. People shouldn't be ashamed or afraid to give us a call.  We will certainly help you out. I just don’t want people to be afraid to call because if you need it, you need it.”

Sheryl Cooper and Cassi Tremblett both agree that Gravelbourg has been very selfless with donations and fundraisers. They feel that they can count on the community to help wherever the need is.  They also share their gratitude towards Dr. Ramlakhan and all the front-line workers fighting to flatten the COVID-19 curve.