Historic Post Office Advisory Group receives cheque for fundraiser

“We were very, very pleased that they were able to raise so much money for us,” Anderson said.

The money will be put toward the replacement of the main doors of the over century-old building.

“The next priority is the floor [of the first floor of the building],” said Anderson.

She said they are very appreciative of the hard work of the Mature Ladies Group in organizing and holding the fundraiser and added it’s nice to see the money total increase as they look to restore the Historic Post Office. The advisory group has also applied for two grants, and they hope to hear back about those soon.

“The idea is that we will be doing fundraising steadily,” Anderson explained. “This is just one more step and more progress.”

Belinda Simon is with the Mature Ladies Group, and she said the idea for a loonie auction came from a recent event in St. Front that she attended. She thought it would be a good idea to bring to Melfort and was pleased the event was a hit.

“We can’t thank the community enough,” Simon said.

The event raised the money in just over four hours, thanks to the generosity of the community in both the fundraising and the items donated for the loonie auction. Ultimately, the cheque presented at the Historic Post Office on Thursday is not where the story ends.

“There is more money to come as there is a grant from the lottery license that we can apply for that will give you 25 per cent,” Simon explained, meaning the fundraiser will bring in just over $10,000 when completed.

The event was sold out, with 150 women buying tickets.

“Kudos to Melfort,” said Simon, who is also a member of the Historic Post Office Advisory Group.

She said she loves the historic building and was glad to be part of the effort to raise money to restore it.

Anderson said their next fundraiser will install an expansion of the Historic Donor Wall, with the sale of old post office boxes. There are still 150 boxes available for sale, and Anderson said they’ll let the community know when that fundraiser begins.

“The community is so supportive and it’s just wonderful that every event we have, they come out and support us,” Anderson said. “I think, generally speaking, the city of Melfort and its people, its citizens, all want to see this building being used as a legacy building.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Historic Post Office Advisory Group receives cheque for fundraiser

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