Posters
Youth Centre Space open for Bookings as a safe space for all ages
Family Literacy Programs – NOTE most of these programs are currently being offered online. In-person classes are suspended.
Greater Foothills Family Programs for December – Curiosity Kids, Messy Make and Take, Triple P Parenting and more.
Greater Foothills Family Centre December ProgramsVulcan Recreation Programs and Facilities Notice
Food Drive – Vulcan County Wide – Fire departments will come right to your house if you pre-book
Angel Tree for the Vulcan Regional Food Bank – Thank you to everyone who has adopted families and individuals for Christmas Hampers, almost all the tags on the tree at Vulcan Bell Park have been claimed.
Lomond Lions Food Drive at S&S Grocery Store
Holiday Train at Home Dec, 12 – The 22nd annual #CPHolidayTrain is back. And this year, its first—and only—stop is your home! Virtual concert via Facebook Live on December 12 at 6 MT to raise money for food banks across North America. Performances by Serena Ryder, The Trews, JoJo Mason, Logan Staats and Kelly Prescott.
Career and Employment Services – MCG Career Remote
Message from Vulcan Medical Clinic
Write to Santa – He’ll write back!
Champion Gingerbread Houses-
The Champion FCSS has a limited number of gingerbread house kits available! Once completed, they will be put on display at the
Champion Pioneer Club. Please message below, or call the Village Office (897-3833) if you’d like to kit!
Canada Benefit Programs
Canadian Benefit Programs-NOV26Service Canada Outreach Brochure
Service Canada Community Outreach BrochureFree Virtual Nutrition Tour
Virtual Nutrition Tour_Poster (1)How Racism can affect Child Development
How Racism can affect child development Infographic_2020Covid care kits
16th Annual Milo Family “Virtual” Christmas – December 1 – 31, 2020
Merry Christmas everyone! Since the Milo community can’t get together to have our annual Christmas celebration, I thought we could share our Christmas spirit online together! In a similar format to the Milo Facebook Fall Fair, below are categories to share our holiday pictures, videos and greetings to help lift everyone’s spirits. Add your photos/videos as comments to the discussions below.
1. Christmas Decorations – show us your indoor and outdoor decorations or lights. Try to outdo your neighbours!
2. Christmas Tree – let’s see who has the best looking tree this year! We put all the work into putting the tree up, we might as well share our work.
3. Holiday Greetings – share your family photos and well wishes with the Milo Community.
4. Food – yes, my favourite! Show off your Christmas baking, cooking and goodies!
5. Humorous – share what made you laugh this season. That holiday baking flop? The horribly wrapped present? The cat in the Christmas tree? Whatever made you chuckle, we would love to laugh with you (or at you ;-))!
Christmas Shopping
Some local Black Friday sales will be happening all week in Vulcan.
Milo Library has some local vendors and artisans’ items available in December.
Arrowwood Library has a shop local market available all December.
SABC had to cancel their Christmas Market but a vendor parade is planned check out their Facebook page for info. They also have truckloads of firewood for sale.
Resources
Family Ties Association Clinical team can provide subsidized counselling to Vulcan County residents. This service is available through Zoom. If you do not have computer and internet access, an office at FCSS can be booked at 403-485-2192. Call Family Ties and ask to speak to Clinical Intake 403-320-8888.
Mental Health & Wellness
Beverley Edwards Self referrals welcome.
Provides counselling for children ages 6 and over, adolescents, adults and seniors.
Phone for an intake appointment. 403-485-3356
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Vulcan Community Health Centre
Al-Anon Family Group—meetings as needed. Contact Betty W. at 403-652-8285 for information.
Calgary’s Child Magazine always has some great articles and fun activity ideas.
https://www.calgaryschild.com/
Read about the survey results from The Covid-19 Parent Stress and Resilience Survey was assembled to learn about the experiences of parents and families in the Lethbridge area as they respond to the ongoing realities of Covid-19. This survey is a follow-up to the initial Covid-19 Isolation Parent Survey Building Brains Together conducted in the spring of 2020. The data from this survey is being used to make recommendations regarding supports and services during the ongoing pandemic and in future crisis situations. Although the data was collected in Lethbridge, there are likely similar concerns in your communities.
Tips for the Month
December can be a cold, busy month – but making time to move your body is KEY to combating stress and being at your best. We invite you to take our annual 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge – where every day from December 1st to 12th we will provide an activity that contributes to your overall health and wellness (like moving more, reducing screen time, and drinking more water). It’s that simple. You’ll see how a little effort can go a long way into helping you move a bit more each day. #EverythingGetsBetter #StayActiveStayHealthy #12DaysOfFitmas
THE VULCAN PALLIATIVE CARE COMMITTEE
Will be accepting donations to decorate for The TREE of HOPE
Your $10 donation can be made at the Vulcan Hospital front desk in memory of your loved one that has passed away. A decoration with your loved one’s name will be added to the tree. All money raised stays in our county and is used to assist families with palliative needs.
Don’t forget about other local charities on Giving Tuesday:
Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society
Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation
Kidsport – Town of Vulcan Recreation
Vulcan Regional Food Bank Society
Rowan House Emergency Shelter
Vulcan Lions Club Recreation Fund
Vulcan Healthcare Auxillary
Vulcan Daycare Society
Vulcan and District Historical Society
Local Churches who do amazing charitable work all year.
A little laugh for the Day:
-I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.
-Yesterday I ate a clock. It was very time consuming. Especially when I went back for seconds.
– My doctor just informed me that I have color-blindness. It came out of the purple.
-I was selling my dirtbike and the buyer asked, “How low can you go?” I replied, “Well not less than 2kmph or you will tip over!”
-I asked my 91-year-old father, “Dad, what were your good old days?” His thoughtful reply: “When I wasn’t good, and I wasn’t old.”
-A woman in labour suddenly shouted, “Shouldn’t! Wouldn’t! Couldn’t! Didn’t! Can’t!” “Don’t worry,” said the doctor. “Those are just contractions.”
-There is a new movie coming out called “Constipation.”
-Really?
It is waiting to be released.
-What do you call a parade of rabbits hopping backwards?
A receding hare-line.
There are traditions and festivals all over the world in the wintertime which are centered around lighting up the darkness – local firework, electric light, candle procession and lantern festivals, and (of course) Hanukah, Diwali and Christmas, to name only a few. Embrace the season of light this year and make the most of putting up your lights and decorations if it brings you joy, or just walk or drive around in the evening to enjoy the lights others have put into their displays. Just like spring and summer when people covered windows and sidewalks with encouraging messages, let the light bring some cheer during a difficult year. At home use some of the candles sitting in drawers, make mood lighting during dinner, or bundle up to enjoy a backyard fire pit time.
“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes, or bags!”
He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”
So, this Christmas let’s show that Grinch! Let’s light up the town!
Regardless of where you live, anywhere in the world. Put up some lights. If you’re in an apartment light up your balcony, if you own a business light it up. If you’re up the meadow on a farm light up the barn. Decorate your house, yard, whatever you have! Put them up early and leave them up later. We can go for a walk or a drive after dinner and see the bright lights of Christmas!”
Early Learning Program – will run a 3 and 4-year-old play based program in Vulcan. Call your local school in any village to find out registration information for preschool and kindergarten.
Should my Child Attend School?
Seniors Helping Seniors – For those in need of a helping hand with yard work, minor carpentry, odd jobs around your home let us know. We are there to help those in need.
Service Canada Ready to Help
Service Canada Ready to help Businesses
Service Canada Ready to help Seniors
Service Canada Ready to help Youth
File your 2019 taxes before September to keep getting your benefit payments
Canadians who receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST) credit need to complete their 2019 tax returns as soon as possible.Filing as soon as possible will ensure you receive the right amount and that your payments continue beyond September 2020. Unsure about your eligibility to receive the CCB or the GST/HST credit? Please verify your status via My Account or MyBenefits CRA mobile app.
Need help filing? Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program community organizations are hosting free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for those who are eligible. Vulcan and Region FCSS can help you if you have a simple tax return with the Volunteer Tax Program.
File online If you’re entitled to a tax refund, you will receive it faster when you file online. Use the CRA NETFILE and Refile services or Find a certified tax software you can use to file online, some of which are free.
Payment deadlines The payment deadline for any tax amount owing on your 2019 income has been extended to September 30, 2020. Late-filing penalties or interests will not be charged if you file your return and make your payment by that date. For more information on the 2019 filing and payment deadline changes, please visit COVID-19: Income tax filing and payment deadlines.
More information and resources
You can find more information on filing your taxes and available benefits and credits:
· Get ready to do your taxes – Helpful information to start the return filing process
· Doing Your Taxes – Step-by-step guide on completing your return
· GST/HST credit COVID-19: Benefits, credits and financial support
More attached posters from Service Canada
-Help for Businesses
-Help for Seniors
-Help for Youth
Krystalowich & Co shared this on Facebook about changes to CERB and EI – See the attached documents.
TRANSITION OF CERB TO EI
The government has released details on the transition for those on CERB to EI. Special thanks to Video Tax News for providing a breakdown of the changes. Highlights of the changes include:
– CERB is available up to September 26 and then the transition will commence on September 27
– EI insurable hours reduced to 120 hours in the 52 weeks prior to EI application
– EI minimum benefits increased to $400 weekly
– EI minimum eligible weeks increased to 26 weeks
– Canada Recovery Benefit of $400 for 26 weeks will be available for self-employed individuals and other individuals ineligible for EI
Also, it is noted that those individuals who received CERB through Service Canada may be automatically transitioned to EI, but it is not guaranteed.
The individuals who received CERB through CRA will be required to apply for EI through the usual EI online application process.
Donate Locally Today
The Shaw Charity Classic contributes to hundreds of thousands of children and youth across Alberta who rely on charitable organizations for support with literacy, food security, mental wellness, and much more. Organizations like Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society rely on donations and we need your support now more than ever as demand for our services continue to increase. Within the community we provide literacy programs for adult learners and children, and train facilitators to deliver programs throughout Vulcan County. These programs are extremely beneficial for learners in their everyday lives — 97%of our adult learners demonstrated increased confidence in their skills and98% reported seeing an increase in their literacy and essential skills.
Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society and Shaw invite you to #ChipinforKids by texting KIDS158 to 30333 to donate $10 and help us continue to provide barrier-free educational services and literacy resources in our community. To make your generous contribution go further, Shaw will match your donation and the matched donation amount will then be matched again by the Shaw Charity Classic, up to an additional 50 per cent. Your $10 donation can grow into a donation of $30 to Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society.
The donations and matched contributions raised through the #ChipinforKids program will help ensure that charities like ours will be able to continue to serve Vulcan County.
If you would like to make a larger contribution to our family literacy programs through the Shaw Charity Classic fundraiser Birdies for Kids click the following link to our page:
Calgary’s Child Magazine is free and online and always includes great parenting articles. The September issue includes articles on:
Did you know there is a link between inflammation, child development and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and even depression and dementia? Click on this link to read a very interesting infographic:
-Low German Mennonite Community Resource Inventory: Responding to Covid-19 in Southern Alberta – There are number of videos Low German explaining Covid.
-Children’s Cottage in Calgary provides respite for parents experiencing high levels of stress or losing patience with a young one at the Crisis Nursery. It has a 24/7 crisis line 403-233-2272. They also run Brenda’s House for those looking for housing support if your child is already 18 years old. 403-242-8576. childrenscottage.ab.ca
Text4Hope
Supporting Mental Health & Wellness in a Time of Stress & Isolation
The Mental Health Foundation is supporting a new Alberta Health Services program
Text4Hope – a free service providing three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)–based text messages written by mental health therapists.
An Alberta-based innovation, Text4Hope is an evidence-based tool that helps people identify and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be expected to provoke. Through a set of daily messages, people receive advice and encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency. Community members simply subscribe to receive ongoing supportive content. There is no cost. The program provides one-way communication and does not replace other mental health therapies and supports. It is a helpful option for people in self-isolation who can’t access face-to-face services, as well as those in remote locations.
Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe.
Text4Hope-Addiction Support and Text4Hope-Cancer Care are also available and designed to help Albertans dealing with psychological issues related to addiction and cancer issues. The expanded services are funded by the Mental Health Foundation.
Text Open2Change to 393939 to subscribe to the addiction program.
Text CancerCare to 393939 to subscribe to the cancer program.
Some users may be charged per text message depending on their cell phone plan with their current provider. We encourage users to check with their provider. If they are unable to sign-up due to potential costs, we encourage them to visit Help in Tough Times where free resources are available, including variety of mental health related podcasts and videos for download.
Free Audio Meditation – to help you calm your nervous system and refocus your mind on what you can control
Information from Alberta Health Services about COVID-19 on Prevention, Wearing Masks, Symptoms and the Difference between Covid-19 and Influenza. Click on Prevention on the right hand menu.
The Art of Motivation- A Guide to helping students avoid drug problems and reach their full potential
Art of motivation is an online resource for administrators, counsellors, teachers and others who want to help students avoid drug problems and other obstacles to reaching their full potential.