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