For the past two years, Rimbey Victim Services have held an annual Charity Checkstop. Rimbey RCMP and Ponoka County Fire regularly partner with Rimbey Victim Services for this event.
In previous years at the Charity Checkstop the emergency services members would help collect cash, food, and unwrapped gifts, which would then be donated to the Rimbey Food Bank and be given as gifts for the Angel Trees.
This year the Charity Checkstop had to be cancelled because of COVID-19.
“Due to the high cases and the new restrictions Ponoka County Fire were not able to have members out in public unless needed for emergency calls only; the less exposure the better,” says Program Manager for Rimbey Victim Services, Kristine Stebanuk. “Myself and my advocates are the same, we’ve had to postpone all in person meetings [and] community functions. We are limited only to Crisis Call Outs only.”
Rimbey Victim Services, Rimbey RCMP and Ponoka County Fire will not be collecting any donations this year. However, they are asking if people are able to, to donate directly to the food bank or charity of their choice.
“We still encourage people to donate if they are able,” says Stebanuk. “Please donate to the charity of your choice, there is still a need.”
Next year Rimbey Victim Services fully intent to resume the Charity Checkstop providing there are no restrictions and it is safe for the volunteers.