Brandon credit unions collaborate to support Bear Clan
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/10/2021 (1826 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Four Brandon credit unions joined forces in September to organize a food and clothing drive in support of the Brandon Bear Clan.
Bear Clan Women’s Council Inc. member Lisa Ramsay said she is grateful for the community support provided during the food and clothing drive because the items donated will be essential as the temperatures in Westman drop.
“That’s going to be able to help us help our fellow community members stay warm and a little safer through this fall and winter,” Ramsay said. “We can’t do what we do without the community’s help.”
She added the collection drive served as a great reminder the city has vulnerable residents that can’t always access essential winter items like a warm blanket or toque.
On a given night on patrol, Brandon Bear Clan is prepared to hand out general goods to at least 100 people and about a dozen blankets each night. Ramsay said the needs each individual patrol encounters are unique — some people are looking for food, while others are looking for warmth.
Brandon Bear Clan has staff on hand during the week and they sort through the donated goods.
“We go through a lot of stuff,” Ramsay said. “Now with the weather turning there’s a lot of people that need long underwear, winter jackets and dry socks.”
Compass, Fusion, Sunrise and Westoba credit unions joined forces in the spirit of truth and reconciliation to support Brandon Bear Clan by organizing item donation drops at every credit union branch in the city, said Buck Bright, chief executive officer of Compass Credit Union.
“We were happy to support the Brandon Bear Clan in this time of need,” Bright said.
Truth and reconciliation have been important to the credit unions, he said, adding all four actively participated and sponsored events hosted by BUAPC (Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council) at the Riverbank Discovery Centre during Truth and Reconciliation Week.
For the donation drive, Bear Clan provided a list of items they needed and the credit unions and BUAPC put a call out on social media urging community members to bring contributions to their nearest branch.
Items were collected from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1.
“Any time the credit unions can work together to support our communities — that’s what credit unions do,” Bright said. “We’re happy to support the Bear Clan.”
Brandon Bear Clan patrols take place Thursdays and Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. but are a small part of what the organization does in the city, said Women’s Council member Liz Spence. She added the group is active throughout the week and the demand for basic necessities is growing every day.
Bear Clan will receive private messages asking for support and they will provide items outside regular patrol night to provide people with what they need.
She appreciates how the community came together to help Brandon Bear Clan answer these requests.
There has been an increased need for support in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramsay said, and each day it seems more community members are needing a helping hand.
“Some folks aren’t able to meet their own needs for a whole bunch of reasons, and they need the support of organizations like ours,” Ramsay said.
Spence added there has been a noticeable shift in the people they serve coming from different communities or passing through the Wheat City. Brandon is unique because it has programs that offer a variety of supports.
Bear Clan has built strong partnerships with organizations, programs and services across the city to provide resources and ensure vulnerable people in Brandon have the support they need.
“We are so connected with our other resources in the community,” Spence said. “We just had Thanksgiving — a lot of the resources are open, so we get together and hold something for our people so they’re not feeling like they’re left out.”
For more information on Brandon Bear Clan, visit its Facebook page. Donation requests will be posted on the page detailing the current needs in the community.
» ckemp@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp