Several members of the Melfort Communities in Bloom group were present to accept a donation from the Prairie North Coop at Memorial Garden. (Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Happy Planting

Prairie North Coop donates cheque and soil to Melfort CiB program

Jun 3, 2021 | 3:02 PM

Melfort Communities in Bloom (CiB) will be able to plant their way into next spring after a very generous donation Thursday afternoon.

The Prairie North Coop (PNC) presented the group with 75 bags of soil and a cheque for $1,000.

CiB member Myra Busby told northeastNOW with the lack of fundraisers over the past year, they are very grateful for the donation.

“Our program thrives on people making these types of donations,” Busby said. “People like to see nice things around the city and the community is very supportive in what we do. So we are very lucky that way.”

The donation from PNC was made in lieu of a CiB fundraiser that was scheduled for April. With the COVID-19 variants going around at the time, it was decided that the fundraiser would not go forward.

First meeting

Interest piqued after Melfort Neighbourhood Watch program info meeting

Apr 24, 2024

Wasted fish

Fish abandoned at Deschambault Lake

Apr 23, 2024

Leadership Needed to Stop Federal Overreach

Apr 23, 2024

The donation will help with paying for the new petunia tree at the Memorial Garden, a new sign that is to be installed on the corner of MacDonald and Broadway, and the vintage truck project on Saskatchewan Drive. The soil will help with the over 165 plant pots around the city.

“It will go to good use, and we are so grateful that the coop has been so generous to our program and so supportive,” Busby said.

The truck pots have been planted with a bit of tweaking left to do on the project.

“Last night, two of our fellows [members] installed look-alike headlights in the front and we are hoping the flowers will now take off and it will give it a whole new look,” Busby said.

Maintenance and watering of the plants will keep the group busy over the next month or so.

The group consists of around 20 members that are involved in different capacities such as attending meetings and helping with odd projects.

“The great part of our program is that we don’t take attendance,” Busby said. “If you don’t like meetings you don’t have to come to meetings. If you only like to plant then you come out to plant.”

CiB is always welcoming new members and helping hands.

“Everyone of our team members are very invested in our program and you can tell when you look around Melfort,” Busby said.

The national CiB program will be virtual again this year which is still beneficial with getting feedback and following other communities and what they do to keep programs alive during the pandemic.

“We are already gearing up for next year while we do work for this year,” Busby said.

With the loosening of some restrictions, Busby is hopeful for potential fundraisers but no plans are currently in place.

“We really aren’t banking on it this year,” Busby said. “We do typically canvass local businesses, but we don’t plan to do that this year as they all struggle through this crazy time as well.”

The CiB program is into its 18th season in Melfort.

–

angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser