President’s Message

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – 2023

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Saskatchewan – North

President’s Report 2023

As I prepare for our AGM, I am grateful that things have mostly returned to pre-pandemic ways. It has been a unique few years, and wonderful that we are getting back to our activities and attending events outside of our own backyards.

Activities have resumed and I’d like to remind all members to get involved in whatever you enjoy, and please submit a funding request with your receipts to the Association. Funding is reviewed quarterly at our Board Meetings. Some of the programs we currently support include para-swim, sledge hockey, wheelchair dance, wheelchair basketball, para-skiing, wheelchair curling, track and racing, tennis, PAAL, SLYP Out, adapted mountain biking as well as specialized camps, and our newest program, the Free Wheel Program, where we have secured a Grant from the Knights of Columbus Foundation that allows us to fund a freewheel to members who request one.

We have recently been diversifying our Fundraising efforts which have included Grant applications, a garage sale, and a steak night. Our first steak night held last winter was very successful and we will do that again. We plan to have another garage sale this spring too. Watch your emails for ways to get involved and help out. We invite all members to bring forward any fundraising ideas they have.

We have had three families join during the Pandemic and hope we will meet them in person sometime soon. We’d like to see new families get involved and hope to come up with some ideas to facilitate this.

We invite all members to forward stories, pictures, or anything you’d like for our website to Dave Elder at davetelder@gmail.com.

I would like to thank Shawn Scherr, our bingo captain, for his efforts. Our bingo revenues supply the funding for all programs and activities that we support. As these revenues have diminished following the pandemic, I think it’s important to diversify our fundraising, which allows more individuals to be involved in this aspect of our Association. We will be circulating new ideas as they come forward, but please feel free to share if you have a fundraising idea.

In closing, I’d like to extend special thanks to our current (and long standing) board members, Cinnamon Martell, Brenda Carter, Gene Layton, Jackie Jewell and Shelley Elder who make my job easier. Their volunteer work is appreciated.

Take care and stay safe,

Laurel Scherr, President

SBHAS-N