For over 100 years we’ve provided short-term assistance to Calgarians in need. 

We were founded in 1910 by Mrs. J.H. Woods (Leonora), wife of the publisher of the Calgary Herald who had seen young women getting off the trains with nothing but a suitcase. Leonora felt compelled to help them and assembled a team who drove a team of horses with a buckboard around the city collecting junk, rags and paper – the sales of which benefited new arrivals to Calgary. Rummage sales, garden parties, teas, concerts and dances were other sources of revenue. Leonora’s generosity has now grown into a team of over 160 volunteer women who raise funds throughout the year to help hundreds of Calgarians each year.

The Samaritan Club of Calgary is 100% volunteer-run, this means no office rent or paid staff, all of our proceeds go back into the community. The Club is dedicated to providing a “hand up” to Calgarians in need. The Club provides support to families in crisis or out of options only by referral from health care professionals such as public health nurses or social workers. Each request for assistance must come either by phone call or written request for assistance with:

• Groceries
• Medications
• Infant formula
• Bus passes
• Hygiene products
• Hearing aids and dental work
• Car seats, strollers and breast pumps

2015-16 Results:

• 360 families (529 adults and 891 children) were helped to secure food and supplies at local Co-op stores
• 494 Layettes (a bundle of necessities for a new baby) were made and distributed
• $6,105 in scholarships for students to attend U of C, MRU or Louise Dean High School
• $3,191 in bus passes given to people in immediate need
• $7,997 in toys bought and given to Community Resource Centres
• $3,000 given to the Milk Fund at Louise Dean School for pregnant and parenting teens
• $13,000 given to send kids to camp

With requests by health care professionals, funds are allocated among FIVE core areas:

1. Vouchers given out within hours for groceries, medications, formula and other baby needs
2. Special funding requests are submitted by health care workers for approval by our Board to fund such needs as aids to daily living, transportation, medical and dental procedures, etc.
3. Layettes are distributed by nurses to the families for newborns in need
4. Scholarships for students at U of C,  MRU and  Louise Dean School
5. Bus passes are made available to students at Louise Dean School, the Boys and Girls Club, the Elizabeth Fry Society, the Kerby Centre, Avenue 15, Wood’s Homes and other individuals upon request

The Samaritan Club of Calgary is there for people like Marjorie. 

Marjorie is wheelchair-dependant, living with her 90-year-old mother, Edith. Majorie and Edith were making it work although finances were tight, until Majorie’s wheelchair lift broke down. Repairs to the lift would mean giving up either food or paying the utilities – a choice no one should have to make!  A call to AHS Homecare Team about their crisis, then a call to the Samaritan Club and the repair process was underway.

Larger projects we take pride in supporting:

• The Kerby Centre’s Senior’s Move Out Fund and the Thrive Program
• The Boys and Girls Club of Calgary’s Infinity Project
• The donation of a van to Calgary Meals on Wheels.

Fundraising efforts:

Samaritans pay an annual fee to be members and raise funds throughout the year to ensure that 100% of the funds raised in the community can be directed to those in need.  Funds are raised through the Super  Sales held in both the Spring and Fall at the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre, bridge luncheons, casino events and golf tournaments.

DONATE: help bring back services that have been cut due to lack of funding

This year our budget was reduced by $70,000 from last year.  Therefore, our funds have been allocated to our five core areas only and the following funding has been cut:

• Support to the Milk Fund at the Louise Dean School
• Christmas toys purchased and distributed to local community centres
• Sending kids to camps through the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America, the Foothills Academy Society’s Camp Amicus and the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society

Your donation will help us to bring back these services for vulnerable Calgarians, please visit here to donate: www.samaritanclub.ca/contact 

ATTEND A FUNDRAISER

• Semi-annual garage sale held on the first Saturday of May and last Saturday of September at Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association (continuous since 1947)
• Casino events
• Golf Tournaments
• Bridge/games luncheons and silent auctions

Please EMAIL US for more information on our fundraising events.

BECOME A MEMBER

Please EMAIL US to see if becoming a member is the right fit for you.